Fix hull damage.

[NewBoater80]

I have purchased a 1985 Wellcraft 180 American for $400.00. I figured the trailer alone was worth that much so if the boat can't be fixed, I think I can get my money back.

I am in the process of replacing the deck, seats, etc but found a couple of places that I am concerned about on the hull.

I am attaching pictures but the question is can these areas be fixed or is the boat ruined?

 

[alldodge]

If your doing all the work my guess is you will have $4000 in it it just the deck and hull work. Not counting the motor and drive

 

[NewBoater80]

If your doing all the work my guess is you will have $4000 in it it just the deck and hull work. Not counting the motor and drive

What I hear you saying is that these 2 areas can be fixed. Awesome. Just got to find someone that can do it.

 

[alldodge]

Yes, they can be fixed, its just fiberglass and Gelcoat

 

[NewBoater80]

Yes, they can be fixed, its just fiberglass and Gelcoat

Thank you!!!! You just made my day.

 

[roscoe]

The first 2 photos are the transom ????

If so, check it carefully for rot.

 

[Scott Danforth]

you know if the deck is soft, the transom and stringers long ago rotted away.

the crack in the chine leaking water is evidence of that.

so build a cradle and read links 14, 15, 18, 2, 3, 4a, and 4b (in their entirety) from the following sticky in the restoration forum. https://forums.iboats.com/threads/how-tos-and-other-great-information.283508/

 

[NewBoater80]

The first 2 photos are the transom ????

If so, check it carefully for rot.

Yes it is the transom. It is all fiberglass so we are good with rot once we get the deck replaced.

 

[NewBoater80]

you know if the deck is soft, the transom and stringers long ago rotted away.

the crack in the chine leaking water is evidence of that.

so build a cradle and read links 14, 15, 18, 2, 3, 4a, and 4b (in their entirety) from the following sticky in the restoration forum. https://forums.iboats.com/threads/how-tos-and-other-great-information.283508/

The Chine is all fiberglass so they would not be going bad correct??

It does not look like the cracks are all the way through the fiberglass. Is there anywhere specific I should be looking for leaking?

I will take a look at the link and review. Thank you.

 

[JimS123]

It looks like you have structural damage. Surely, the innards rot out in time, but if the exterior has cracks like in your pics the repairs were delayed way too long.

If you are lucky you might fix it for $4K. Then you will have a rig that's worth maybe $1500. You got it for $400 for a reason.

 

[jbcurt00]

Denial isnt a a river in Egypt

The brown streaks leaking out of those cracks suggest much more work then you expect.

Since you said you'd find someone else to do the work, $4k doesnt come close to what this boat needs...

Not
Even
Close

Junk the boat
Sell the trailer

 

[Scott Danforth]

12 step program for boat rehab

step 1 - denial
step 2 - anger
step 3 - acceptance
step 4 - asking for guidance
step 5 - reading the links I provided (you gotta also watch the videos)
step 6 - buying the PPE and making the cradle
step 7 - firing up the saws and grinders
step 8 - sweating and itching and wishing you would never have bought the boat
step 9 - ignoring the project for a few months
step 10 - almost getting divorced and getting back to the boat
step 11 - busting your butt doing carpentry, fiberglassing, etc and spending the $4-$5k to restore it
step 12 - enjoying the boat.

 

[Scott Danforth]

The Chine is all fiberglass so they would not be going bad correct??

It does not look like the cracks are all the way through the fiberglass. Is there anywhere specific I should be looking for leaking?

I will take a look at the link and review. Thank you.

you are showing pics of the inner wall of the transom. what you dont know is the wood between the inner wall and the outer wall long ago rotted away and all that is left is wet mulch. same goes for the stringers, motor mount boxes, bulkheads, etc.

 

[NewBoater80]

you are showing pics of the inner wall of the transom. what you dont know is the wood between the inner wall and the outer wall long ago rotted away and all that is left is wet mulch. same goes for the stringers, motor mount boxes, bulkheads, etc.

Sounds like I should cut my losses and run.

 

[JimS123]

12 step program for boat rehab

step 1 - denial
step 2 - anger
step 3 - acceptance
step 4 - asking for guidance
step 5 - reading the links I provided (you gotta also watch the videos)
step 6 - buying the PPE and making the cradle
step 7 - firing up the saws and grinders
step 8 - sweating and itching and wishing you would never have bought the boat
step 9 - ignoring the project for a few months
step 10 - almost getting divorced and getting back to the boat
step 11 - busting your butt doing carpentry, fiberglassing, etc and spending the $4-$5k to restore it
step 12 - enjoying the boat.

I just copied your list and put it in my file cabinet. It fit my buddy almost to a T, with the following edits...

Step 12 - used it a few times but the wife was now afraid of it.
Step 13 - 3 years later it was rotten again. Turns out the "mechanic" was't as good as was reported.
Step 14 - had a reputible mechanic fix it again (more "thousands")
Step 15 - the wife now absolutely refuses to step foot in that thing.
Step 16 - sold it for 25 cents on the dollar of what was invested.

 

[JimS123]

Just another silly reply, not necessarily to the OP, but to anyone thinking about a resto....

If the boat was bought new by Grandpa, and has been in the family for decades, restore it no matter what the cost.

If it is a classic that hasn't been built in eons, and there aren't many left, restore if for your own personal collection, not expecting to ever recoup your investment.

If you are looking for a boat for yourself, and get one for $400, walk don't run. Boats are not an investment, and are only for people that can afford it.

 

[hugh g]

By the looks of the transom pics once you dig out the wood rot you're looking at replacing the outer skin. I don't see how you could fasten new plywood, etc. to what you have now. If you tackle this you'll be lucky to hit the water with it by the end of next summer. If you don't live in snow country. Your call.

 

[Scott Danforth]

By the looks of the transom pics once you dig out the wood rot you're looking at replacing the outer skin. I don't see how you could fasten new plywood, etc. to what you have now. If you tackle this you'll be lucky to hit the water with it by the end of next summer. If you don't live in snow country. Your call.

you pull the cap and replace from the inside