New '98 Bayliner Capri Owner Needs Advice

[rbaber1051]

I appreciate any and all advice in this new undertaking. I just recently purchased this boat with the knowledge it needed work on the deck. What I have found is the flooring near the bow, just ahead of the ski locker, is rotted out. The rest of the deck feels strong. However, after reading thru many of these articles I am pretty sure if I want this boat to last for many years, I will need to restore the deck completely. I guess what i need to know is:

1. What is the average cost of fixing the floor professionally compared to doing it yourself, given the cost of a learning curve.

2. Paid 4k for the boat. It mainly sat with little to no use on the water and has only 115 hours on the engine. I had it on the water for a weekend and other than the floor giving way it ran great... just a little stiff in the steering... seems like a good investment just a little worried it might be to much to takle on the deck. guess i'm looking for moral support... sorry...

3. when i get to the point i have replaced the foam/deck how is the overall feeling of installing this synthetic teak decking as opposed to installing new carpet. I know this is putting the cart way ahead of the horse, but i guess i'm just trying to visualize the finalized project.

I guess i know i have to replace the decking/foam and anything associated with the decking. I"ve rambled enough... This is a project I would like to document from beginning to end...

 

[Mark42]

Re: New '98 Bayliner Capri Owner Needs Advice

If you want to get an idea what's involved with repairing your Capri, go to Shareaproject.com and under boat projects do search for "project long haul" by member realgun. He did floors and stringers in his Capri. Once you see it done, you'll realize its not very hard, just a bit of labor, and if you use polyester resin, not very expensive. A lot less than paying someone else to do it. If you can do simple woodwork, you can replace the stringers and floor.

Regarding the steering, disconnect the the steering cable at the motor end. If its still stiff to turn the wheel, the cable is probably shot. Its fairly easy to replace a steering cable, and they run about $70 - $100 depending on length. They cannot be oiled to make them work smooth again, they wear the plastic liner and the cable rusts the the cable housing. They are hard to cut, so if you want to cut it to make removal easier, you will need a sawsall or maybe a large bolt cutter.

 

[oops!]

Re: New '98 Bayliner Capri Owner Needs Advice

pro cost of deck in a capri........1200 to 1800.

dyi.......3-400 tops.

when you get in there.....yes, you might find the foam is wet add another 250......but i doubt on a 98 that the strings or trans is bad.....youll get away cheap....and have a fantastic boat.....


im actualluy shocked that a 98 has a rot deck????

 

[Mark42]

Re: New '98 Bayliner Capri Owner Needs Advice

pro cost of deck in a capri........1200 to 1800.

dyi.......3-400 tops.

when you get in there.....yes, you might find the foam is wet add another 250......but i doubt on a 98 that the strings or trans is bad.....youll get away cheap....and have a fantastic boat.....


im actualluy shocked that a 98 has a rot deck????

Well, he did say it spent most its time just sitting in the water. Could have a leaky cover, or no cover at all. Could also account for a corroded steering cable/ram end. 115hrs is still about 28 4 hour trips out tubing, skiing or just cruising around. No telling how the previous owner treated the boat.

 

[rbaber1051]

Re: New '98 Bayliner Capri Owner Needs Advice

This is awesome! Thank you for your responses! I am encouraged. The boat's main use was for cruising. The owners did winterizing every year. But while it sat in the field for the last few years it was only covered by its snap on covers... and some of those snaps, especially around the windshield were broke causing an opening for water to get in.

I will check out shareprojects. I look forward to positive updates in the near future.