Family Four New Project

[Davidfield]

Hi
New to the forum.
Just bought this lovely Family Four. A project for me and my dad.
First time boat owner, so will be asking some technical questions as we go along.

[Freebird19]

You're going to be busy boys from the looks of things. Keep us posted with progress pictures please

[535Mustard]

Hi David.
You should be able to find spares from Quayline boats in Poole, they bought the moulds off shetland and now make the family 4 new and have advertised as being able to supply spares for older ones.
Tom

[Davidfield]

Hi
Thanks for the comments, will be picking a few brains as we progress

[Adam]

Big job is coming haha!
Great stuff and good luck with your project lads.
I did work on my F4 1.5 years but there were rather minor things (deck painting, fixing things, engine service, new electrics etc...) , apart from relining and rebuilding the cabin which was a bigger job but now the cabin is like new inside.
F4 is a lovely boat for cruising rivers or sea. The hull is great and boat is very stable on the water. High gunwale allows you fishing comfortable which is great.
4 stroke, bigger engines are a bit heavy for these boats but it's not bad at all. I have 4 stroke 70hp Johnson which is perfect power choice for this boat giving 17 knotts cruising speed and easily getting 30. I couldn't believe how quiet those outboard are! (70 HP is a maximum engine power for F4 MK3).
The only one serious thing is leaking which ends up with tonnes of water under the floor. Main leaking points which need attention are windows (seals), houdini-hatch, anchor locker. Cabin door step needs attention too.
Best of luck!

[Davidfield]

Hi Adam
Thanks for the comments. We have manged to get the bottom painted and we are busy with interior woodwork. I am looking for a supplier for some new perspex/acrylic for the windows and screen. Any suggestions. I live in Hertfordshire. Also any guidance on the headlining fitting and internal trim would be gratefully received.I will post some more pics when i can. Also my dad is working on a way to create a good seal on the edge of the houdini hatch if it works i will post it.
Thanks

[535Mustard]

Slipscreens in Pembrokeshire do stock some patterns for Shetland windows, I'm pretty sure they have them for yours.
They will deliver after you choose thickness, tinted or clear etc.

Also somebody else on a Facebook group said they ordered a windscreen direct from the Shetland website and it arrived very quickly.
So I assume they are trading again.

[Davidfield]

Hi
Thanks for the info, have found a company near me that may be able to do the Perspex. I contacted Slipscreen but they said they were unable to help at this time. As for the Boat. Made some progress, new pics attached.Father and son hard at it.

[535Mustard]

Glad my wife can't see your pics lol.
She is always asking me to put sheets down on the driveway, usually 10 minutes after I start doing something to the boat, so I don't bother lol

[Adam]

I'm really excited to see the progress lads. Great job. Keep going and put as many photos as you can please.
Soon I will start new thread how my F4 cabin has been transformed