1987 marathon help

[Bkarb]

Southkogs...I do own it. Haven't had it on the water yet. About 6 inches in front of the motor feels solid when I sound it. But where it appears that the stringers should be feels completely hollow. If I go further than 6 inches from the motor is goes back to nothing again. I have a few good pictures on my phone that I will keep trying to get uploaded. I just need to figure out how t ok shrink them.

 

[Bkarb]

I added more photos to my idea book.

 

[Scott Danforth]

now that you own it.....

start reading....https://forums.iboats.com/forum/boa...r/295740-how-to-s-and-other-great-information

specifically links 14, 18, 2, 3, and 4a/4b....then the others

 

[southkogs]

I would either weigh the boat, or take some core samples. The transom is where I'd focus my attention, it'll act as a telltale for the rest of the structure. If you drill in a small sample and get mushy shavings lotsa' moisture in the wood shavings that's the bad sign.

Weighing the boat and getting about the right hull weight is typically a good sign.

Standing water in the engine compartment is not good, but not necessarily a final answer.

I do like the style of the boat though.

 

[b.gagnon]

I would get the motor running properly before you do anything........ If the motor is junk I would move on! It also looks like the motor never had the alternator conversion so plan on doing that @ $300-$500.

 

[southkogs]

I would get the motor running properly before you do anything...

IMHO the motor is the easy part. Rehabbing a hull is much more the wild card.

 

[Bkarb]

The motor is nuts and bolts for me. Heck if the motor is junk I'll throw a v6 in it and not even blink an eye...if the hull is junk then the boat isn't worth anything to me because I dont have the kinda of time or money to tear into that.

 

[nola mike]

Sounding the hull is a black art at best. You'll never be able to test the stringers that way. While weighing the boat will tell you if it's completely waterlogged, you can for sure have a ton of rot without a lot of weight. The motor will be mounted to the stringers, I'd take a few samples from around there. Also as low down on the transom as you can get, and near the cutout. Check carefully for any soft spots on the floor.

EDIT: Just realized I posted nearly the same thing earlier. I'll stand by it