1981 Custom Craft 16ft deck restoration

High_flyerrr

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Oct 21, 2022
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Hello i just bought a 1981 fiberglass custom craft boat with evinrude 70 for 1000$. Transom is solid but the flooring in the boat has some flex to it, enough to hear a crunch if i push hard enough. Budget to restore the floor is no higher that 4k. Can it be done? What needs to be done? Can i just put 3/4 plywood over the floor to get me 2 or three years?
 

High_flyerrr

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Oct 21, 2022
Messages
28
Hello I just bought a 1981 custom craft 16 foot bay boat with an Evinrude 70 on the back for $1500. I know the engine is worth at least that much so I’m going to sink some money into the boat it’s self. My fiberglass flooring in the boat is separating from the wood underneath it I’ve gotten three “so far and they come at 3000$ $4000 and $9000. The estimates are for them to cut out the deck cut out the old stringers and replace them with cosa board. I already eliminated a $9000 estimate because that’s just outrageous for a 16 foot boat. My question would be is coast aboard the way to go over plywood and does the other two estimates seem reasonable
 

buxmj

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Jun 9, 2018
Messages
294
Unfortunately the floor is the last thing to rot in a boat, you will probably find rotten stringers and probably a rotten transom also. The good thing is that whatever you have to replace it will end up much better than factory specs and will be safe. Putting a plywood deck over rotted material is not safe and you don't know what else is rotten. Sorry for the bad news but it happened to me and many on this sight. I will be happy when mine is soon (I hope) finished and I can enjoy it and I know it will be good to go for many years.

Please post pics, that will help so others can see what you are dealing with. This is a great forum and I couldn't have done my resto without the great advice found here.
 

High_flyerrr

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Oct 21, 2022
Messages
28
Ive made the decision to replace the hull and stringers. Got a quote from a custom fiberglass boat shop of 3500. They will replace deck and stringers with coosa composit. I guess the price beats going and look for a another hull for a higher price that may have issues in a few gears vs one that i know has good bones.
 

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Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
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Jul 23, 2011
Messages
47,612
Your transom and stringer rotted before the floor

To do it with plywood and fiberglass yourself will be about $1500-2000

$200 in wood
$200 in PPE
$100 in cloth
$300-500 in resin
$400 in foam
$300 in misc fiberglass supplies
$200 in sanding discs blades, etc
 

High_flyerrr

Cadet
Joined
Oct 21, 2022
Messages
28
Your transom and stringer rotted before the floor

To do it with plywood and fiberglass yourself will be about $1500-2000

$200 in wood
$200 in PPE
$100 in cloth
$300-500 in resin
$400 in foam
$300 in misc fiberglass supplies
$200 in sanding discs blades, etc
I have no experience with fiberglass much less boat restoration. Im gonna pay someone to donit that way i know its right and good for years to come. He said he will replace stringers with coosa board and floors with coosa board. Can the transom be accessed after the floor is out?
 

jbcurt00

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Oct 25, 2011
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Read thru a hundred or more topics, those that pay someone else to do the work are the most unhappy w the results and the expense..... the vast majority don't get what they thought they were paying for
 

High_flyerrr

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Oct 21, 2022
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Read thru a hundred or more topics, those that pay someone else to do the work are the most unhappy w the results and the expense..... the vast majority don't get what they thought they were paying for
Read thru a hundred or more topics, those that pay someone else to do the work are the most unhappy w the results and the expense..... the vast majority don't get what they thought they were paying for
I know the guy doing the work and have seen his work in person a few times. So hopefully were all good.
 

Baylinerchuck

Commander
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Jul 29, 2016
Messages
2,726
I hope you watch the process like a hawk. I doubt I could do the work myself for that cost let alone make a profit. Good luck, I hope you make out well this.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
47,612
I have no experience with fiberglass much less boat restoration. Im gonna pay someone to donit that way i know its right and good for years to come. He said he will replace stringers with coosa board and floors with coosa board. Can the transom be accessed after the floor is out?
Assume it's 250 hours of work. Just the cutting and grinding is 25 hours

At 125-150 per hour shop rate. What corners are being cut?

If you want to do coosa yourself add $1000 to my estimate. It's $200/sheet compared to $40
 
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