For the last six seasons, have been running a 1969 32' Seagoing, made in Florence Alabama, on the Missouri River. Micro-attended to the outside of the hull when I bought it in 2001, with a two-part epoxy on top of sound steel. Discovered that after 39 years, had "issues" on the inside.

Have de-floored, and removed all scale and loose rust and paint. Now I know you guys are going to tell me I have to re-hull if it is bad enough, but bear with me.

Four years ago I rebuilt the Volvo AQ 130, and treated the engine compartment which had very similar rust with this new-generation polymer, Rust Bullet. Not even a bloom after 4 years, and that's how I am treating the inside of the hull. Whacking it all with a hammer still gives a good tone. My question is how can I determine what is left as far as thickness? The boat obviously sat on a trailer for many years, and the rust is heavier to starboard.

I figure this may give me a few more years. I have been patching the dings that the Missouri River will give any boat, on the outside, with this stuff for 4 years, with great results. What do you think?

Have your surveyor sound the hull with his instrument that measures thickness and mark the areas that need replacement.

Steel boats rust out from the inside.