Bayliner 1982 Capri it looked good, but too good perhaps

billysboy73

Recruit
Joined
Jul 14, 2009
Messages
5
My wife and I purchased a 1982 Bayliner Capri a couple of weeks ago, our first boat. We took 2 relatives with us to advise us in this purchase as we knew nothing about buying a boat, or what to look for. After getting our boat home, and preparing to replace the worn carpet, I discovered a very wet and rotten spot in the floor (storage) compartment. Questions are do I replace the whole floor, taking up the seats and all as there is also wood appearing to be rotting back by the engine as well? Or, do we just replace what is known to be rotten between the seats back to the engine compartment? I realize that this is probably a much bigger project than I am describing and that we probably will not see water this year, but I want what I do to be right and safe. Thank you.
 

PiratePast40

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Mar 21, 2009
Messages
1,734
Re: Bayliner 1982 Capri it looked good, but too good perhaps

Welcome to the forum. If it helps, you're not the first one to find some soft spots on the deck so don't feel bad about it. You really can't determine the extend of the rot until you remove the seats and carpet. As to if you can get by with just a partial deck replacement - again, a function of the inspection. In all likelyhood, if you have rot on some of the deck, then you probably have waterlogged foam underneath and wet stringers - possibly a soft transom as well. Again, you need to tear things up to find out just where you stand.

You'll need to weigh your options as you go and determine if the cost of repairs in time and money is going to be worth it to you. In most cases, the cost of repairs will equal or exceed the replacement price of the boat but you will have a solid boat afterwards and know exactly what you have.

The good part is that you have plenty of help here and it's not an impossible job. I bought a boat in February - an 18' Fiberform runabout and soon discovered thet I needed to replace the deck, stringers and transom as well as replace most of the electrical, the fuel system and do major work on the engine and outdrive. It's now July and I've had the boat in the water several times with great success. This is my first boat and I knew absolutely nothing about fiberglass or boats but was still able to get things done by just jumping in.

Go for it and decide what needs to be done before you make any final decisions - and GOOD LUCK!
 

chrishayes

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 9, 2009
Messages
691
Re: Bayliner 1982 Capri it looked good, but too good perhaps

Welcome to the forum. If it helps, you're not the first one to find some soft spots on the deck so don't feel bad about it. You really can't determine the extend of the rot until you remove the seats and carpet. As to if you can get by with just a partial deck replacement - again, a function of the inspection. In all likelyhood, if you have rot on some of the deck, then you probably have waterlogged foam underneath and wet stringers - possibly a soft transom as well. Again, you need to tear things up to find out just where you stand.

You'll need to weigh your options as you go and determine if the cost of repairs in time and money is going to be worth it to you. In most cases, the cost of repairs will equal or exceed the replacement price of the boat but you will have a solid boat afterwards and know exactly what you have.

The good part is that you have plenty of help here and it's not an impossible job. I bought a boat in February - an 18' Fiberform runabout and soon discovered thet I needed to replace the deck, stringers and transom as well as replace most of the electrical, the fuel system and do major work on the engine and outdrive. It's now July and I've had the boat in the water several times with great success. This is my first boat and I knew absolutely nothing about fiberglass or boats but was still able to get things done by just jumping in.

Go for it and decide what needs to be done before you make any final decisions - and GOOD LUCK!


Unfortunatley, what he said! A soft spot in the bow of my boat turned into what I am doing. Check out the thread of my boat to see what you most likely are in for. It is costly and time consuming but the knowledge gained is priceless not to mention the peace of mind aspect.
 

billysboy73

Recruit
Joined
Jul 14, 2009
Messages
5
Re: Bayliner 1982 Capri it looked good, but too good perhaps

Welcome to the forum. If it helps, you're not the first one to find some soft spots on the deck so don't feel bad about it. You really can't determine the extend of the rot until you remove the seats and carpet. As to if you can get by with just a partial deck replacement - again, a function of the inspection. In all likelyhood, if you have rot on some of the deck, then you probably have waterlogged foam underneath and wet stringers - possibly a soft transom as well. Again, you need to tear things up to find out just where you stand.

You'll need to weigh your options as you go and determine if the cost of repairs in time and money is going to be worth it to you. In most cases, the cost of repairs will equal or exceed the replacement price of the boat but you will have a solid boat afterwards and know exactly what you have.

The good part is that you have plenty of help here and it's not an impossible job. I bought a boat in February - an 18' Fiberform runabout and soon discovered thet I needed to replace the deck, stringers and transom as well as replace most of the electrical, the fuel system and do major work on the engine and outdrive. It's now July and I've had the boat in the water several times with great success. This is my first boat and I knew absolutely nothing about fiberglass or boats but was still able to get things done by just jumping in.

Go for it and decide what needs to be done before you make any final decisions - and GOOD LUCK!
Thank you, we will press forward to see what is in store for us. As far as removing the seat bases is there a recommendation for this? I want to save the seat bases to recover and reuse. Thanks again, I am feeling more confident now. Here are links to the pics of what we have found so far:

http://www.callaydesign.com/boatpics/frombow.jpg

http://www.callaydesign.com/boatpics/stringerrot.jpg

http://www.callaydesign.com/boatpics/floorfoam.jpg

http://www.callaydesign.com/boatpics/floorfoam2.jpg


http://www.callaydesign.com/boatpics/afttank.jpg

http://www.callaydesign.com/boatpics/portafttank.jpg


Most importantly: is there a way we should be checking out the transom that doesn't include taking the top of the boat off? How can we inspect it well without taking the whole boat apart? Thanks for your help!
 

Peter1950

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 5, 2009
Messages
48
Re: Bayliner 1982 Capri it looked good, but too good perhaps

Is yours a 19ft with Volvo gear? I think we have the same boat. I also bought mine a month or two ago and also a first boat. Didn't pay too much but I think my flooring is in at least better shape than what I see of yours. Maybe. I did replace a piece at the rear most ski storage to better support the hatch but it appeared to be localised. I'd like to see an overview of your boat. Send photos! I'm doing a cosmetic update on the outside of mine at the moment and will be changing the color scheme somewhat. I've removed all the stock decals and stripes etc and even the registration number are gone so I can start fresh and polish it all. With the numbers gone I can't legally take it in the water till its done, but I've had it in the water twice only now.
 

billysboy73

Recruit
Joined
Jul 14, 2009
Messages
5
Re: Bayliner 1982 Capri it looked good, but too good perhaps

Peter,

You have the same engine/boat as ours. We have gutted the whole inside of the boat and will be replacing the stingers and deck. We didn't care much for the red interior so, we are changing the colors of the boat and have torn everything out of (carpet, side panels, and seating). It's a big project, but what the heck! I will send you photos soon. Are you painting your boat? If so I would like some pointers from you.
 

jonesg

Admiral
Joined
Feb 22, 2008
Messages
7,198
Re: Bayliner 1982 Capri it looked good, but too good perhaps

while you're in there might as well drill some core holes in the transom , inspect the drill chips for wet mulch.
If its ok just fill the test holes with epoxy.
You'll know soon as you start drilling, a 1/4 inch bit will do it.
Start at the bottom inside, near the outdrive especially.
No need to drill right through.
 
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