Did we get screwed?

[tlmeyerink]

We just bought a 2000 crestliner with a 80 HP Yamaha 4 stroke and trolling motor for $5k. Motor is in good shape, but there's a soft spot in the deck and 3 tears in the seats. The tears don't bother me so much, but I realize after reading this forum that patching the soft spot is a dangerous band aid. I'd like to think I can replace the deck myself, but the thought of messing up the electrical is holding me back. So I'm thinking it'll be a job for a pro. So--- did I get a lemon?

 

[Scott Danforth]

welcome aboard

good news is that your boat is aluminum. floor issues not as big a deal as it is in a fiberglass boat.

If you are handy, know that righty-tighty and lefty-loosy guides the fastener installation and removal, and your not afraid to get your hands dirty, then this is a job that you can do. probably in a weekend or two

 

[tlmeyerink]

Thanks for the vote of confidence. Is the wiring part of the removal/ replacing the tricky part?

 

[Fleetwin]

As stated, fixing a floor in an Aluminum boat is FAR easier than in a glass one. It's really all mechanical, no glassing skills required.

There are numerous posts here regarding floor removal/repair on tin boats.

The wiring may not even be an issue. If you have to disconnect something, get yourself some masking tape and a Sharpie and label everything.

 

[kjsAZ]

hard to say from a distance without pictures. Unfortunately a soft spot on the deck is usually the tip of an iceberg. Boats rot from the keel up and when it reaches the deck you have a lot more trouble waiting below. I have seen a boat where the deck rot was from entering the boat wet and always dripping at the same spot but I would not bet on that luck.
To be honest, if you outsource that work to a pro who is doing the job as it should be the cost of repair will get the total cost of the boat far beyond its value.

Try to peek below that deck at all openings you have and try to see how it looks below (ski locker, behind the rear seats). If you see a lot of "dark wood" in the construction you are in for a resto job. Dark wood = rotten.
If you have a small webcam you may be able to see a bit further inside....

 

[Watermann]

So is your CL aluminum or glass? Makes a huge difference in the advice.

 

[tlmeyerink]

I neglected to put the word "pontoon" on there....

 

[kjsAZ]

congrats, that makes it a lot easier.....

 

[Fleetwin]

I neglected to put the word "pontoon" on there....

That just went from not bad to piece of cake.

 

[jigngrub]

Yeah, replacing the deck on a pontoon is the easiest of all boats.

You may not even have to disconnect anything and may be able to just move the console out of the way or just hang it from something.