Need some opinions on my older cheetah (Botched fiber glass job)

[TreCraven]

Got this boat a while back and have noticed a botched fiberglass job done by the prior owner.I m gonna post pics but its a spot about 4-5 inches wide and 2 1/2 to 3 foot long along the back bottom of the boat.Looks like it would be in line with where one of the stringers is located. It does not take on water and when we went out the last time when i pulled the plug on the back maybe a half a pint of water came out.But I'm thinking that's from where I had a fast stop and a little water came up over the back of the boat.My question is will it be safe to use this as long as its not leaking for a couple times during the summer until winter when i can just fix it my self?Also does it look like its even fixable?The motor is a very good motor starts first crank every time and its a perfect size boat for me and my woman so I would like to just fix it.I have never done fiber glass work but have done some patch work on my truck with bondo so if i can do a little body work on a truck surly i can do fiberglass on a boat.i know by the looks of it I m probably gonna have to completely disassemble the boat and redo the Stringers and maybe the transom depending on if its damaged too.Does this look like a job to big for some one just starting to get in to fiberglass and boat hull repair?

[produceguy]

That is a big job.

I think your going to have to grind all that off to see what they was trying to fix.

Plenty of guys on here that are willing to help you through it, if you decide to take it on.

Welcome to iboats.

[Woodonglass]

Welcome to the iBoats Dry Dock!

Safety First! Just because it is not taking on water does not mean it is safe. Only the person that did that terrible patch job know what's under there. Can you push on it an get any significant flex? Can you push on the outboard and see any flex in the transom? Does the Deck have soft spots? These are all signs of possible problems. You should do further investigation. Yes you can do the work if you wish to. Plenty of help here on the forum. Post some pics of the entire boat, inside and out. If there is no flex in the transom and not soft spots in the deck then I would say you can probably use the boat and start the work in the fall. But really check her over good. Again, SAFETY FIRST

[TreCraven]

The transom seems solid.I have not drilled in to it but it hasn't got soft spots and when you tap on it it all sounds solid.As for the inner floor there's no wood under the carpet its straight fiberglass.When i walked on it it felt spongy so i pulled the carpet back and the carpet has that 1/8 foam on the back of it.So i took my toe and pushed down in a few various spots.It had maybe a 1/8 give to the fiber glass if not a little more.I pecked around with a screw driver about like you would to find a stud in a wall and most sounded solid.I'll post pics of the carpet i pulled back and the boat.Also in the front nose where the seats go, that whole front piece is a one piece mold .The floor in the center is bubbled up like its came unglued or something.When you step on it it goes back down and is solid when it hits the wood or what ever is under it.it dosen't feel spongy just feels like a piece of the fiber glass isn't fastened down properly.Also when I use this boat I don't pull skis or drive around the lake non stop.All I do is put it in the water and drive it to where I'm fishing and anchor it.Ill put some pics up.i one you'll see the view of the back of the boat.One is where I pulled some of the carpet back to show the floor.I think but im not certain that under this part in the floor is foam that's been glasses in and thats what the little bit of flex in the glass i'm feeling.The other pic is of the front center between the seats that dosent feel fastened down. Thanks for the help and for the great welcome.[IMG][/IMG][/IMG]

[Sixmark]

Some of the things that you described leads me to believe that the previous owner had a severe impact on the hull, the bulge in the floor you are describing is a sign of a rotted or broken stringer.

[Woodonglass]

Ok, here's how the typical boat is constructed. Your carpet is glued to deck. The deck is made from Plywood. The plywood is covered with Fiberglass resin and cloth. What you are seeing and feeling is that resin and cloth De-laminating from the plywood. this is caused by Water penetration. There may well be Foam under the deck. Floatation foam was injected under the deck by the MFG to give stiffness to the hull and sometimes aid in the structural integrity of the boat. There may also be wooden stringers under the deck. If so the water intrusion may have started to rot them as well. Tapping on the transom is NOT a reliable method to determine its integrity. You should drill into it but NOT all the way thru to check if it is wet and or soft. If it is not you can seal the holes back up. It sounds to me like you will need to cut some holes in the deck to take a look below and see for sure what is going on below. It is not sounding or looking good at this point.

[TreCraven]

Ok, I think I'm going to try to drill in to it.But I've never done it so heres a few things I need to know.
What size Drill bit should I use?
Is it best to drill 1 hole at each corner maybe 3 or 4 inches from the edges on the external part of the transom?? Or drill 12 inches a part across the bottom about 3 or 4 inches up from the edge?
And What is the best thing to use to fill the holes back in with do you have any certain product recommendations?
I apologize for my ignorance but I have never worked on a boat. Cutting out rust of a my truck and redoing the fenders on it is a little different?
VEry many thanks for your help
Chris

[Woodonglass]

NOOOOOOO, Drill on the INSIDE NOT the OUTSIDE. Drill down as low as you can get and then about 4"up and do this about every 6" across the bottom. Use a 3/8" bit. Put some masking tape on it so you only go about 3/4" deep. Shavings should be light tan and dry. If dark brown and damp or powdery then you have a problem. If tan and dry then Fill em back up with some 3M 5200 Sealant.

[TreCraven]

10-4 Appretiate the quick response.Ill stop and get the bit tomorrow.I already think I'm gonna post on craigslist for a cheap boat just to put my motor on so i can have something while I tear this one down to redo. I like projects and I have been looking on alot of the boat reconditioning on here and I am pretty sure its not bad.Just tedious and I am well experienced at that.Ill keep you informed.