help-newbe idiot

[searay1989]

I bought a 1989 16 ft searay open bow about three weeks ago. The boat looked very clean when I bought it. The engine and outdrive have been cheked out and are in great shape. But after looking closer, I am finding more and more rot. I am concerned about stringers. How can I tell if the stringers are bad. What does stringer rot look like. The seat support in the back of the boat next to the engine is completly rotted out, down to the floor. THe boating season is alwmost over and I dont want to spend it tearing my new(old) boat apart. Can I wait until sping to fix it or will it get worse over the winter? I know I should have had the baot surveyed before I bought it and I paid to much for the boat. Live and learn I guess.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: help-newbe idiot

sorry to hear about your problems... take a real<br />long close look at the bottom of the hull and look<br />for any cracks that are starting. if the stringers<br />are mush, the hull will start to flex and crack.<br />if it looks solid, then you could put it off till<br />the season ends, which is soon. just take it easy<br />and don't jump 3' waves at WOT until it's fixed.<br />if the stringers are shot, you gotta lot of work<br />to do, but the guys on this forum can walk you<br />through the steps so you do it right.<br />hopefully it's just the floor and not the stringers...<br />good luck,<br />M.Y.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: help-newbe idiot

thanks to JollyRogerX:<br /> http://boatbuilding.com/content/rot.html

 

[Scoop]

Re: help-newbe idiot

Good article Mellow Yellow. I have used boracare, but the stuff on Ethlene gycol is interesting. I do want to add, that Boracare is also available in solid stick form that is made to put in "always wet" wood. You drill a hole and put the boracare plug in. This is supposed to give a bigger dose to the affected area without diluting.

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: help-newbe idiot

Searay, you may be able to guess at how much decay you can expect based on how the boat was kept while not being driven. If you know the boat was tied to a pier every summer since 1989 then you should be pretty concerned that water penetrated the hull and/or splashed/rained in and the boat was never drained until the end of the season each year. If the boat was pulled from the water and drained after each use, it will have stayed much dryer inside and will probably be in much better shape. If it was stored in a building with plenty of air circulation at all times other than when being used, you should be able to assume it is in pretty good shape inside until you can get a closer look. <br /><br />The seat supports in back are usually just cheap plywood protected only by paint and are awefully exposed to the elements and I would expect a little decay there no matter what, if that makes you feel any better.<br /><br />From what I've seen of SeaRay boats, they are designed and built very well. Dry it out good this fall and look everything over closely. Poke an icepick into wood to find soft spots. Make sure water can drain from the front of the boat right out of the back unobstructed.<br /><br />Remember to enjoy that boat too!