1988 Maxum 1700...There's no turning back now!

[further]

So I was in denial thinking that my 25 year old Maxum with the soft floor could be simply repaired by re-decking. After sifting through all the posts on this forum and reading a ton before I got the boat in my driveway, I felt like this is no big deal... I can handle this! Well, I got the boat into the driveway on Saturday and started right out with the demo and surprise surprise... there's rot where I didn't want there to be of course.

I'm a newbie at this but am sorta handy I guess.. I've got all the tools to do it but very limited space. No garage, just a very small driveway.

I haven't cored the transom but will tonight and expecting the worst. The stringers look shot in the areas where the I was able to get into behind the fiberglass - actually, the port side stringer looks like the fiberglass was compressed down.

So I think I'm off on a restoration of this boat, but got a bit discouraged yesterday with all the rot and demo needed and thinking how its all going to go back together. Reading through others posts definitely builds on the confidence though. I like the hull even though its a very typical maxum/bayliner style.. It's fits my family well and who the hecks got 20k to drop on a new boat.

So I want to get the idea in my head on a few specific items like the splash well and cap. I don't want to remove the cap. As I've mentioned, I have extremely limited space and no garage so wouldn't have a place to put it and really don't want to deal with doing that nor having the hull shape deform as I've got no means to support the hull other than the bunk trailer its on. I've seen others do their resto's with the cap on so I want to try and do the same... Question is how to deal with the splash well cause its obviously in the way of the transom. Any suggestions? ALso the two box seats at the stern on each side of the splash well are foamed solid and attached to the hull on the back side - really hard to get to with a sawzall. Any suggestions on how to get these out? Also, I have to research some more on removing the motor as I've never done that as well. I'm thinking I will build a stand per the sticky on this forum and stick it in the driveway with a tarp over it.

Here's some initial photos from Saturday and Sunday. I've already removed all the decking at the stern. More pics to follow.










Hoping some of the experienced guys on this forum will guide me on this journey...

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1988 Maxum 1700...There's no turning back now!

You're off to a good start. Pics are always a big help. Get the longest blade you can find for your sawzall and it will bend and lay flat on the deck and cut those boxes right out. Post up a pic of the rear (stern) on the outside so we can see what it looks like. Another one standing inside and looking down across the back of the transom. Once the boxes are removed along with the deck we can give you a better idea of what will need to be done with the splashwell.

 

[further]

Re: 1988 Maxum 1700...There's no turning back now!

Thanks WOG... Will do when I get home tonight. I also forgot to mention that in the process of removing the decking I made the ultimate rookie mistake and sliced through the hull in two spots (stupid A** I am - as I've read numerous times to be careful of this). In any case, will have to repair those areas as well.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1988 Maxum 1700...There's no turning back now!

You are NOW an Official Boat Restorer!!! Those slices confirm it. They're easy fixes and nothing to worry about. If your transom is configured as I think it is it could be a fairly easy fix. The pics will tell the tale.

 

[further]

Re: 1988 Maxum 1700...There's no turning back now!

Thanks for the re-assurance on the easy fixes... got worried there for a minute when I saw daylight and my trailer.

Took some photos of the transom.

 

[further]

Re: 1988 Maxum 1700...There's no turning back now!

I took cores of the transom also - bout 5-6" above the bilge area. first core didn't look so bad. second core not so good






So i'm gonna continue demo for now little by little. What do you think on the transom and splash well? I'm sketched out about removing the splashwell and getting at the transom.

Thanks for your help with this. This forum is great and I wouldn't even fathom attempting this without the guidance of the pros on here!

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1988 Maxum 1700...There's no turning back now!

Looks like you need to get a good sitting & staring chair. Keep your favorite frosty adult libation well stocked & appropriately chilled.

You will need both. In heavy doses at times.

1 of those times is soon upon you.

You will need to decide to either remove the cap of the boat entirely or at a minimum the splashwell across at the gunwales.

It can be done, has been by many. YOU CAN too....

 

[further]

Re: 1988 Maxum 1700...There's no turning back now!

I'm thinking it's gonna have to be just the back side along the gunwales as you said. But how is the question - where and how to cut? Not visualizing this clearly yet. I have absolutely no room to remove and store the entire cap. I'm gonna have to come up with some creative spot to store the motor as well. I'm working with very limited space unfortunately.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1988 Maxum 1700...There's no turning back now!

If you know anybody interested in a boat outing that has a spare 4SqFt +/- in their garage/shed/barn, I'd ask them to help you pull the motor, transport it to their place & bring this stand w/ you:
Building your own outboard motor stand


Since you've already demo'd the rear jump seats, you'll just need to cut the gunwale just forward of where these seat backs intersect w/ the gunwale:

Sort of like this:

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1988 Maxum 1700...There's no turning back now!

Post a pic of the Gunwales at the rear corners. The pic JBC posted is precisely what you'll be doing. Once you post the corner pics we can tell you where to make the cuts.

 

[further]

Re: 1988 Maxum 1700...There's no turning back now!

Here's the pic of the gunwale port side

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 1988 Maxum 1700...There's no turning back now!

Bad thing about those f'glass boats is that once the deck goes, everything below deck is past buggered and all of the denial in the world won't change it.

I'd cut the cap between the first and second snap out of the corner:

 

[britisher]

Re: 1988 Maxum 1700...There's no turning back now!

There is a thread on here, I think it will be a sticky by now. It's a refurb job done by Friscoboater on his 22' SR BR. If ever there was something to inspire you on handling the refurb it's this. He gives step by step instructions on how to do stuff and has videos on most tasks. Like most others, he has his low points when things were not going as planned, but his perseverance paid off. I bought a first boat last year as had to do a total rebuild due to rotten wood everywhere. I used his thread as my road map and am pleased with how mine turned out. Good luck.

 

[further]

Re: 1988 Maxum 1700...There's no turning back now!

Thanks britisher.. Yes I've read throught most of friscoboaters threads and watched the vids... Very inspiring for sure!

So I guess I'm clear on where to cut the cap at the gunwales on both sides but what's better to cut with? Sawszall or angle grinder with cutting wheel? Also how does the cap come off at the rub rail? Is it two pieces or am I gonna have to cut horizontally behind the rub rail?

 

[scottmm73]

Re: 1988 Maxum 1700...There's no turning back now!

Further, to bad we don't live near each other. I to have an 89 Maxum 1700 that I will be beginning a restore in the near future. Original regret thread here. We could've given each other a hand. Needless to say most of the problems have been worked out but this summer the tubing and swimming have gotten to her and everything I could do could not keep the water off the deck. A soft spot has been discovered just forward of the aft starboard bench seat. Luckily my oldest daughter will be starting college after next year and our youngest still isn't old enough to enjoy the boat (a little skittish still). This will give me the few years it will take to gut and rebuild her from the bottom up. I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this thread. Good luck.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1988 Maxum 1700...There's no turning back now!

The rubber in the rubrail can be removed and there will be rivets or screws holding the to halves together. Just remove the portion that needs to be released to allow the cut portion to come off. JNG's cut line is as good as any. Is the transom flat across the back or is it slightly curved?

 

[further]

Re: 1988 Maxum 1700...There's no turning back now!

Thanks WOG... So when I take the rub rail off do I cut horizontally between the cap and the hull? What's recommended tool for making these cuts? I think the transom is flat but will take a closer look tonight and let you know.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1988 Maxum 1700...There's no turning back now!

Personally I'd use a Jigsaw with a Metal Cutting Blade. It will give a good clean edge and be easy to handle.

8 x Black Decker Metal Cutting Jigsaw Blades 154 1 | eBay

 

[further]

Re: 1988 Maxum 1700...There's no turning back now!

Scottmm73, It is too bad - would be good to have and give a hand. In any case, hopefully my restore will go smoothly and I'll be able to help you out through this medium (which is fantastic btw). I read your regret thread. I too was having denial syndrome for the past 5 years. Bought the boat in 2009 and used it the first 2 years quite a bit up in the poconos (where in PA are you?) with soft spots and all but I paid almost nothing for it so... then went through a divorce and boat sat till this summer. My fiancee (yes I'm doing it again) likes boating so is urging, and actually supportive with the resto (she's a keeper lol).

 

[further]

Re: 1988 Maxum 1700...There's no turning back now!

Ok, WOG will do - just got a new one of those! First step is to build my motor stand and pull the motor, then I'll get to cutting and pull the splashwell/rear cap. Probably won't get to that till next week as work is crazy busy this week and I'm taking the kids whitewater rafting on the Lehigh this weekend. Will let all know how it goes once the motor is pulled.
Thanks again to all!