Deck Repair/Replacement

[LuvBoating]

Have a 1992 Celebrity 200 Cuddy Cabin and the deck has a few soft spots on it. One is next to the starboard gunwale, one in front of the rear bench seat and one by the gas tank access plate (under the bench seat). There was one on the port side deck, next to the engine, but I replaced that myself, however I can NOT do the rest. I've read that there are "stringers" under the deck that might need to be replaced as well. We (wife/I) can not physically do this job and am wondering how much work it would be. We know that the two deck chairs and bench seat would come out, but don't know what else.

Any advice/comments?
Thanks

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: Deck Repair/Replacement

If you cant do the work yourself then the next step is get some Estimates. It’s not going to be cheap by no means….Next if you like the boat and have the cash and want it fixed then post your estimate findings and we can help you decide what to do.

The thing about it is…if you like your boat and want to keep it and have to spend 3 grand to fix vs a new boat purchases then you can save hundreds of dollars.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Deck Repair/Replacement

Seeing as how widespread the rot is more than likely the entire deck will need to come out, the stringers will probably need to be replaced, and possibly even the transom. And if you do get someone else to do the work don't let them cut corners. There seem to be a lot of "fiberglass" people out there who will give you lowball estimates and do a half-assed repair (like not glassing stringers - they'll be rotten again in a couple of years).

 

[Natesms]

Re: Deck Repair/Replacement

Start calling around and see if you can find someone to fix it. You will have thousands of dollars invested in the project. If the boat isn't in tip top mechanical shape I'd consider getting rid of it.

You will likely have more invested in replacing the floor and stringers than the boat is worth, however, you probably won't be able to replace the boat for the same money. Bit of a catch 22. I was in the same situation last year and did the work myself of replacing the floor and strings. After the cost of the materials and the insane amount of work I regretted it. I wish I would have pulled the motor and drive, sold them and trashed the boat. I do have a good little boat now, but I would have rather have invested the time elsewhere and found another boat.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Deck Repair/Replacement

Start calling around and see if you can find someone to fix it. You will have thousands of dollars invested in the project. If the boat isn't in tip top mechanical shape I'd consider getting rid of it.

That is exactly correct and is an unfortunate fact of boat ownership. I am one of those that for some odd reason actually enjoys the process of rebuilding boats, in fact I get crazy if I don't have some sort of project going. I have more money invested in my Checkmate than what I could ever hope to sell a 30 year old boat for, but at the same time I have a boat that I know is structurally sound and have less invested in it than a comparable 10 year old boat.

As for the bass boat I'm currently rebuilding, by the time I'm done I'll probably have a total of around $3000 to $4000 into it (plus my time of course). I could never buy a similar boat that I know is in sound condition for that (but also have no illusions about being able to sell a 20 year old boat for any kind of profit).

In many cases of boats with rotting wood in them the only way it makes financial sense to repair them is if you're willing and able to do the work yourself (and understand that it's a time consuming process).

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Deck Repair/Replacement

Look at this thread about a guy that thought he just had a little small soft spot in his deck to replace:
http://forums.iboats.com/boat-restoration-building-hull-repair/first-attempt-boat-repair-579280.html

This is pretty much typical with fiberglass boats that have soft decks. The decking is actually the last thing that rots because those boats rot from the bottom up.

Since you can't do the work yourself I suggest selling he boat and looking for a better one.

I'll take a wild guess that your estimates to fix the boat (deck, stringers, and probably transom... because they all usually rot at the same time) will be in the range of $5000-$8000 to have someone else do it... and then you really won't know what kind of job you're going to get. Lots of jack-legs out there looking for a fast buck.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Deck Repair/Replacement

Soft spots are like a person having cancer. You can do a little surgery to see the extent of the problem. Sometimes it's just a small area, but very often it's a full deck, stringer replacement. It's easy to put 150 hours into such a job, and it's pretty stinky and sticky working with fiberglass.

If you ever notice what's sitting in boat salvage yards? It's Inboard Outboard fiberglass boats. For fiberglass boats to have a long lifespan, they've got to be stored out of the weather and rain. It's aluminum hulled boats and pontoon boats that just seem to last forever.

I'm sorry that you've had the problem. Another option is to patch the floor up, carpet it and run the boat until there's a problem.

 

[sphelps]

Re: Deck Repair/Replacement

Hey LB , the only way to know for sure is to cut some of the deck out for a good inspection . Core sample the foam, stringers, and transom . Is she an I/O ? I am not a professional but have been an iboats resto crew member long enough to have a good idea on what it will need .
If ya wish send me a pm maybe I could swing over and help ya check things out.