I have thus far, removed the seats, carpet, upholstery all around the boat. (including 40 hornet nests). The floor needs to be replaced, so before I cut into the floor, what should I be aware of? Where can I find reasonable marine ply wood? I have found some for 68.00 for a 4 X 8 sheet, but I am a single mom and I need like 13 of them for the floor and seats etc. That is a lot.  Or for plywood is there an alternative?

Is there any info on the engine that someone can share? 

I am 38 with mediocre mechanic skills, all the tools (many of which I have no idea what they are for) I should need, and great work ethic and willing to get my hands dirty. I need guidance on what steps I need to take. What to watch out for, and where the reasonable deals are. I am not worried about the upholstery as I make quilts of valor for vets so I am sure that I have that covered.  

And for fiber glassing, what is a good product to use? 

Your post seems to have gotten lost in the shuffle so this will at least bring it back to the top of the new posts 

One of the first things you should do is learn to post pictures. It's a lot easier to get help like for example what you have for an engine, if there's a picture of it.

Pinned at the top of the general discussion forum is a thread on posting pictures. 

You could click on the link below for a thread about somebody getting started tearing apart a Southwind and and also search for threads on Barefoot Nautique stringers and Southwind stringers about stringers.

You may or may not be planning on stringers needing replacement, but it will be an education for ya' reading the stuff.

http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=49221&title=now-what" rel="nofollow - link

Yes, as Ken mentioned, we need some pictures. They may give us an idea of the condition of your Southwind and will help with suggestions. You mentioned the sole (floor) needs to be replaced and that is a concern as to the extent of repair/restoration. What indicators are telling you it's bad? Pictures please. Do go to the link Ken posted. It will give you an idea of what's below the sole. 

yes there are a lot of variables, about how deep to go into the boat to get to the good bones to build on,  and not compromise the work you and your son do by not going deep enough or tempting shortcuts.

Do this correct and you will create something he can pass down to his children if its not neglected because it can be rebuilt better now than it was built originally

you found a good place for that guidance and examples

The last counterpoint I made was wrong, so just another opinion here.

If the boat is an emotional connection to your dad, then it's worth fixing up.  However, you might end up spending more fixing it than it will be worth.

If you look solely at economics, buying a water-ready boat might be an option.

For fiberglass information go to West Systems, they have a ton of good info & free pdf downloads:

https://www.westsystem.com/instruction-2/" rel="nofollow - https://www.westsystem.com/instruction-2/

And there is a lot more on youtube, hours of good examples from Boatworks Today

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kDqq-pSzdqFUk3oTaHBuA" rel="nofollow - Boatworks Today Channel

There are folks on here that could tell you what engine you have by the sound or smell of it.  Since it is not running, both of those are difficult to put up here so a picture or two will have to do.

Sounds like a great project, keep us up to date.

Jack