Hi,
I am new to this particular forum, and I can't seem to find much info on the later-model Aerocraft boats anywhere. I am in the central NY area, and a '78 Aerocraft Monte Carlo II (open bow) is available locally. The hull is in great shape (glossy, if you can believe it) and doesn't show any signs of having sat in the water for extended periods. I didn't see any cracks, and very few scratches. It's got a Mercruiser 898 that supposedly runs. Outdrive is clean as well and doesn't show damage. The major issue is that the floor is shot. I was able to poke at the base of the transom in the bilge and it felt solid, as did the stringers in that area, but that is about all I can get to with the floor still in place.
My question is: does anyone know if the Monte Carlos were prone to transom/stringer rot? The floor is REALLY bad and needs replacement, a job I wouldn't mind tackling. However, transom and stringer repair I think is further than I personally am willing to go. The current owner has had the boat since the mid-90's. The floor apparently took a turn for the worse when the boat was stored outside recently over a winter and the cover blew off, so it sat with snow in it. The drain plug is out, so I don't believe it was ever full of water. I know the rot question is a tricky one that no one can give me a yes or no to, I am just generally curious about what issues have been seen with these models in terms of rot.
Thanks in advance for any information!
Nik
I am new to this particular forum, and I can't seem to find much info on the later-model Aerocraft boats anywhere. I am in the central NY area, and a '78 Aerocraft Monte Carlo II (open bow) is available locally. The hull is in great shape (glossy, if you can believe it) and doesn't show any signs of having sat in the water for extended periods. I didn't see any cracks, and very few scratches. It's got a Mercruiser 898 that supposedly runs. Outdrive is clean as well and doesn't show damage. The major issue is that the floor is shot. I was able to poke at the base of the transom in the bilge and it felt solid, as did the stringers in that area, but that is about all I can get to with the floor still in place.
My question is: does anyone know if the Monte Carlos were prone to transom/stringer rot? The floor is REALLY bad and needs replacement, a job I wouldn't mind tackling. However, transom and stringer repair I think is further than I personally am willing to go. The current owner has had the boat since the mid-90's. The floor apparently took a turn for the worse when the boat was stored outside recently over a winter and the cover blew off, so it sat with snow in it. The drain plug is out, so I don't believe it was ever full of water. I know the rot question is a tricky one that no one can give me a yes or no to, I am just generally curious about what issues have been seen with these models in terms of rot.
Thanks in advance for any information!
Nik