New to this world of boating and got my self in a pickle

[criscolusa]

I just recently purchased a 1988 Bayliner bass trophy 1810. It looked great and the engine works beautifully. It had one soft spot from a weight being dropped on the floor said the previous owner. As I began to clean it, because it was filthy and smelled moldy, I noticed that the wood was in really bad shape. No problem, I'll change it. I ripped it out and noticed there are 2, what I would call fiber glass boxes with wood inside (will post pictures later) that are soaked and I'm afraid the transom might be in bad shape because of it even though it feels solid. Does anyone know what those boxes are? Is there foam inside of them? Could I delete them? If the transom is bad, do I repair it from the inside or can I go on the outside? This boat is confusing because is not like anything I find on YouTube. Please help, I would feel more confident if I could better understand the architecture of this boat. I love the way this boat looks and definitely want it to be back to its original glory. I can't take pictures at this time but I found this online, this is what the stern looks like.

 

[Scott Danforth]

first, welcome aboard.

second, consider every fiberglass boat over 15 years old to be a project. especially every bayliner from the 80-s and 90s

your boat is built no different than other boats.

go to the top of the forum, 3rd sticky down. https://forums.iboats.com/threads/how-tos-and-other-great-information.283508/

go thru links 14, 15, 18, 2, 3, 4a, and 4b.

you need to take pictures of your boat now. start de-rigging it, then uncap it, then fix the rot....... assembly is the reversal

 

[kcassells]

Yup... what that Ole fart said. Welcome to IBoats.

 

[criscolusa]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate that info. I'm learning this the hard way but enjoying the process along the way. I will definitely look into this. I do still have the question of what are these boxes and could I do with out them? Also do y'all have any idea of the length of this transom I think it's short but I'm not sure.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Those are flotation boxes. Required to keep the boat from sinking when you leave the plug out

 

[criscolusa]

Those are flotation boxes. Required to keep the boat from sinking when you leave the plug out

Thank you, wish it wasn't required but better safe than sorry. They are soaked so right now I think I float better than they do lol. Do you happen to know if they are connected to the transom? I fear if they are, the transom will be toast; although, tap test sounds good and it doesn't move more than a 1/4 of an inch when put pressure on the lower unit but it seems there is a small amount of separation up top.

 

[Scott Danforth]

your boat rotted from the drain up. so the transom went, then the stringers, and then the floor (always last to rot).

tapping does nothing unless the wood was wet, rotted, dried, ants ate whats left of the rotten wood, etc. then you hear the hollow sound.

your transom should never ever ever be able to move.

 

[todhunter]

Agree with Mr. Danforth - you're looking at a full gut and rebuild job. It's time to make the decision whether you junk / sell this one and try to find another boat, or if you want to commit to 12-24 months of a project that's going to cost at least a few grand and a couple hundred hours of your time. If you choose the latter, go ahead and start stripping the hull of the engine, rigging, wiring, etc., and start measuring and drawing diagrams of how the structure of the boat is laid out before you start just ripping the floor and other structure out.

Also - before you dive in, make 100% sure you have all the paperwork to show that the boat and trailer are in your name - bill of sale, title, whatever. In some states if you don't have a title, it can be difficult to get one.