1990 18' Bayliner

[The Force power]

My bayliner Capri has a 90 hp outboard and I noticed that the boat is starting to lay deeper in the water at the transom.
There's a small soft spot around the port side close to the battery storage.
I've read a lot of posts about bayliner & restoration of them to know that my problem is just the tip of the iceberg. lol
I assume the foam in my boat has saturated with water and causes the boat to become heavier at the back end.
How much floor would have to come out to be able to remove enough saturated foam to see a different? or am I just dreaming of an easy fix?

 

[KJM]

I'm no expert, but I think you may be dreaming. I'd start by taking up the soft spot and checking underneath, but most likely you have wet foam and quite possibly rotten stringers and transom. Drill a few test holes on the inside of the transom and look for wet shavings, same with stringers. Also I found that the foam can seem dry on top but be wet on the bottom against the hull. Hope for the best but prepare for the worst!

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

I hate to say it but from what you have described is not probably going to be an easy fix more of a total restoration. I have an 88 and I had to totally gut it and start from scratch. Many long timers here will say that the floor is the last thing to rot with which I can tell you is true with what I found with my Bayliner.
I had cracking in the gelcoat on the bottom of the transom on the outside as well as soft spots in the floor and it turned out everything was gone.

 

[GSPLures]

As others have stated it is more than likely going to be a total gut.
There is no point in doing a patch as that will prematurely fail due to the rest of the boat having rot, saturated foam, water, etc.
Once you have it open and do a few core samples you will know. Then you can come up with a game plan.

 

[KD4UPL]

I think I'd cut my loses and upgrade to a different boat. You will have way more time and money in the repairs then that boat is worth; even if you do it all yourself.

 

[GSPLures]

I think I'd cut my loses and upgrade to a different boat. You will have way more time and money in the repairs then that boat is worth; even if you do it all yourself.

You are correct that you will never recoup the time or money. Restoring a boat is not about making money, for 5 or 6k for a total gut you will not find a comparable boat that is 100% rot free or without its own problems. If done right the boat will last at minimum of another 30 years.
Which comes to about 16 bucks a month, far less then the average boat payment on a new boat.

 

[Scott Danforth]

as far as easy fix..... there is none.

you have a 32 year old bayliner that most likely was in need of a restoration about 10 years ago.

the floor is always the last thing to rot

build a cradle
pull the motor
pull the interior
pull the cap
gut the hull
rebuild the transom
rebuild the stringers/bulkhead
glass it all back in
install the floor
foam it
gel coat the floor
reinstall the cap
redo the interior
reinstall the motor
go boating.

 

[Meames1]

You are correct that you will never recoup the time or money. Restoring a boat is not about making money, for 5 or 6k for a total gut you will not find a comparable boat that is 100% rot free or without its own problems. If done right the boat will last at minimum of another 30 years.
Which comes to about 16 bucks a month, far less then the average boat payment on a new boat.

Agreed. For me it was that I liked the "look" of the boat I rebuilt (1990 Larson). I did a complete gut and repower. I suspect I'll have around 9K or so in mine when done, but I know it will last many years. I looked at many slightly newer boats in the 10-12K price range and I suspect many of them would need the same gut, now or soon.

 

[The Force power]

Thank you all that have tuned in and have giving me their advise/opinion.
both sides have solid points (scrap vs rebuild)
I think I'm going to use up the boat for now and make a decision in the next seasons ahead

 

[GSPLures]

Thank you all that have tuned in and have giving me their advise/opinion.
both sides have solid points (scrap vs rebuild)
I think I'm going to use up the boat for now and make a decision in the next seasons ahead

Just make sure that you do an honest assessment of the condition of the boat for your safety. An unsafe car more than likely breaks down on the side of a road, an unsafe boat sinks.