88 Capri stringer question

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

Hello everyone I'm a new boat owner and I have a question about my stringers.

I got a non-running 16' Bayliner Capri I/O for free as a project. It took a couple weeks to get her running well but noticed cracks at the base of the stern in the gel coat so as I figured the transom was bad no big deal to fix.

After further examination I noticed the rot went in the stringers which is only a 3/4" piece of plywood. My question is is that wood structural or just a mould because it seems so light for a structural member and there isn't a lot of mesh covering them.

Thanks in advance,
Jim

 

[matt167]

It is structural. The nickname to those is Bayliner Crappy. They put a lot of people on the water that couldn't have otherwise bought a boat. But they are the cheapest hacks especially those older ones. Now as far as the I/O. If it's an "L drive" I/O grab a chainsaw and do yourself a favor. If its an omc cobra, know that a Mercruiser conversion will go a long way. and if its a real old one with Stringer drive, you might better swap to mercruiser now

 

[Scott Danforth]

the wood and foam is structural

bayliners of the 80's and 90's are not known for quality fiberglass work.

free boats are the most expensive

assume between $2000 and $3000 just to get the hull seaworthy.

agree, if its an L-drive, save yourself a headache and douse the whole boat in napalm and toss in a road flare

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

Not surprised by your responses lol. I'm the kind of person that likes to resurrect the dead but could I go with a hardwood 2x4 and good glass work to bring her back to life or hardwood plywood ?
I don't want a boat payment so being a project I'm in no hurry to finish but I want it to be safe of course.
of course it's an OMC I would love to upgrade at some point.
sorry for the naivety but how do I tell if it is an L-drive.

 

[matt167]

The L drive is a 2 stroke Force/ OMC kinda umm.. mess of a sorta version of an I/O. It didn't need to exist and did not for very long. I think '88-'92. If you have a traditional V6/I4 arrangement then your 'ok'.. If it's a 2.3L Ford motor, your still 'ok' but swap to Mercruiser if it breaks, will be cheaper.

As for hardwood, that's a negative. Generally 3/4" plywood is good for the stringers due to the plies. But anything hardwood will be too heavy. You could use Douglas fir dimensional lumber.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Exterior plywood is the best bet for your stingers, doubled up if need be. The plywood, laminated with fiberglass, will be very strong. You don't need to use marine-grade plywood for stringers. Any good exterior (NOT pressure-treated) plywood will do.

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

Thank you fortunately I have the 2.3. I have been doing a lot of reading on your forums and I am so thankful you all have a site like this.
Thanks,
Jim

 

[Baylinerchuck]

The 2.3 is a strong running engine. Unfortunately the OMC cobra you can’t get parts for. The change over to Mercruiser isn’t too bad, though obviously run the OMC as long as you can. Bayliner was not the only manufacturer to have crappy glass work. For some reason it’s the brand that is the butt end of most boat jokes. It most likely has something to do with the number of boats they cranked out. I had an 86 Capri, and it was a fantastic intro to the boating world. Cheap, easy to work on, and tons of fun. My family had some great memories on that little boat. I partially restored it, used it for several years, now my sister’s family is enjoying it. Good luck with your rebuild, and have fun.

 

[steve_h7]

I'm with Chuck... I think 95% of late 80's boats being 30+ years old are in need of a total rebuild. Mine was built in Canada but just as bad as any of the others made in the U.S. and in need of a new transom, stringers, deck, etc...

I always liked the looks of the Bayliner, so with a proper rebuild you'll have a vintage one that will last for 30 more years. :thumb:

 

[matt167]

I think Bayliner was among the worst as far as rushed construction. They were/ still are one of the cheapest boats available and the Capri was the base/ most popular model for a long time.. Still though, they are a cool looking boat and make real nice boats restored. But a 16' I/O is a really small boat. Make sure it's big enough for your uses

 

[Scott Danforth]

Small Bayliners of the 80's and 90's were designed to last between 12 and 15 years and be replaced.

their construction method was not intended to let them live past that. that was done so they could be replaced and bayliner would sell new boats.

they were built cheaply to get the average guy into a new boat to enjoy boating cheaply.

people jumping into them at boat shows in the 80's would sometimes crack the fiberglass on the floor

the 2.3 is a turd of a motor, it was chosen because it was cheaper than the GM 3.0. at least its not an L drive

the exhaust manifold for the 2.3 is more expensive than a pair of manifolds for a V8

the dash was made in-house on them because it was cheaper than individual gauges.

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

I always liked the looks of the Bayliner, so with a proper rebuild you'll have a vintage one that will last for 30 more years. :thumb:

I am the same way, I live very close to Lake George NY and there is nothing like what we have on lakes and I would love to change that lol!

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

I think Bayliner was among the worst as far as rushed construction. They were/ still are one of the cheapest boats available and the Capri was the base/ most popular model for a long time.. Still though, they are a cool looking boat and make real nice boats restored. But a 16' I/O is a really small boat. Make sure it's big enough for your uses

I agree with you absolutely I will attach pictures tomorrow which I am sure you have seen before but hopefully I can help others.

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

Small Bayliners of the 80's and 90's were designed to last between 12 and 15 years and be replaced.

their construction method was not intended to let them live past that. that was done so they could be replaced and bayliner would sell new boats.

they were built cheaply to get the average guy into a new boat to enjoy boating cheaply.

people jumping into them at boat shows in the 80's would sometimes crack the fiberglass on the floor

the 2.3 is a turd of a motor, it was chosen because it was cheaper than the GM 3.0. at least its not an L drive

the exhaust manifold for the 2.3 is more expensive than a pair of manifolds for a V8

the dash was made in-house on them because it was cheaper than individual gauges.

I have seen many aspects of the manufacturing that I think are atrocious and I can't believe that they got away with it and am that the boats lasted the they were expected to. My wife and I like the size and style of the boat being the 80's were our heyday lol but for our first boat it is a nice size because I don't have a lot of space for storage.
I agree with you on the 2.3 definitely but being a mechanic it's easier to work on and should something that's expensive break I will definitely re-power or something different altogether.
I have been around boats but never owned one so being free it is a great opportunity to learn and perhaps get her on the water again .

I will be posting pictures tomorrow to show how right you all are! From what I see I think I have a Friday boat!!!!!!

Thanks,
Jim

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

This what she looked like when I picked her up.

 

[Scott Danforth]

if you plan on doing the interior, extimate about $1500 if you do it yourself, about $2500-$3500 if you have someone do the work for you.

 

[Woodonglass]

Uhhmmm I think Scotts estimate on a DIY interior Upholstery job is a bit high. You can get Some very high quality vinyl for $25 a yard and that boat wouldn't need more than 30 yds. Soooo on the HIGH end of your costs you'd spend $1000 UNLESS you buy a High end Walking Foot sewing machine and then His cost is pretty much spot on. It's MUCH easier to do boat interiors with the Walking Foot machine but you CAN do it with a good Powerful Home Sewing machine.

 

[Baylinerchuck]

A friend of mine has the same boat. Unfortunately it is sitting in his yard unused for the past 5 years, lol. They are nice looking boats. That mooring cover looks new, and great to have. My buddies 2.3L pushes that boat quite well. We tubed off of it, and it was fun, and kept up with my 90hp Johnson pretty well. Hopefully it’s mechanically sound, because as Scott said, parts for these old OMCs are through the roof, if you can find them.

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

I love the look of the boat and fortunately the engine runs very well and the stern drive sounds good too.
Over the winter I am going to go through the entire drive unit to make sure that everything looks good because as the years go by its going to cost even more. Probably though it would be time to repower at that point.