newb w/ 87 Bayliner Volvo Penta, cracks where outdrive mounts?

[vinny-two-shoes]

Hi there everyone, I’m new to the forum and new to boat owning.

As a little backstory; I purchased this 87 Bayliner Capri w/ Volvo Penta I/O last summer (2022), knowing nothing about fiberglass boats, or boats in general, but mechanically inclined and good with motors. Everything looked good to my untrained eye, and we took it out for a test - the guy who sold it to me was the 2nd owner, and owned it for most of it’s life, and seemed like a good knowledgable and trustworthy guy. After bringing it home I noticed some (larger) cracks where the outboard motor mounts on the inside of the engine bay, but didn’t think much of it since everything else seemed fine and it was never mentioned. I ran it all summer without issue, but became more and more concerned about this area. This year as I’m cleaning it up and de-winterizing, I wanted to investigate this a little further and noticed they look much worse than I remember, and with just a little poking around discovered some wet/soft wood underneath.

I guess I’m just putting this out there to see if anyone could clue me in as to how f**ked I am, what’s the damage, and what can be done at this point? is it worth it? can I do any of the work myself without major equipment or pulling the motor? Any info or pointers would be very helpful as I’m feeling very frustrated and have no one knowledgeable around here to ask (I’m on Whidbey Island, WA)

I’ve attached some pics of the areas in question. Thanks in advance!!

 

[kcassells]

Wow that's great!
The *hole seller even finished off the job with crack paint making it hard to see issues. He's a good slimer.
Bad news............all wood under floor, floor and transom are done, wasted, Kaboom!
Total rehab.
Lots of great guys here to help you thru this if you are up to it.
Shouldn't use it this summer. Sorry.

 

[dubs283]

Transom rebuild

Pull the drive, engine, and transom assy

Remove glass and wood from the inside (bilge) to outside (gel coat) until dry, solid wood is found

Replace as needed with new wood cut to fit, preferably white oak but layered marine grade plywood will suffice. Re glass the inside, paint and reinstall the engine/running gear. Go boating

 

[vinny-two-shoes]

Wow that's great!
The *hole seller even finished off the job with crack paint making it hard to see issues. He's a good slimer.
Bad news............all wood under floor, floor and transom are done, wasted, Kaboom!
Total rehab.
Lots of great guys here to help you thru this if you are up to it.
Shouldn't use it this summer. Sorry.

That was my greatest fear… is it worth restoring? the engine runs great and interior are is in great condition, what do you think it would cost to repair? I don’t think I can do all that myself, no way to pull the engine. I’m not even sure how to sell it at this point…

 

[flashback]

Drill some test holes in it and find out for sure, the crackle paint is confusing..

 

[dubs283]

the crackle paint is confusing..

I've seen many bayliner boats (and others of the same vintage) with the knock down style paint pictured in the OP

I'm guessing that the paint is oem and wasn't added by anyone to hide any faults in the transom

The bayliner is close to 40 years old and seemingly original. If it didn't look like this I'd be mildly surprised

 

[flashback]

I've seen many bayliner boats (and others of the same vintage) with the knock down style paint pictured in the OP

I'm guessing that the paint is oem and wasn't added by anyone to hide any faults in the transom

The bayliner is close to 40 years old and seemingly original. If it didn't look like this I'd be mildly surprised

Yes I have too, that's what confused me I can't see any cracks..

 

[vinny-two-shoes]

Yes I have too, that's what confused me I can't see any cracks..

in this picture you can clearly see where I poked at it and some glass chips fell off revealing the dark wet wood beneath

 

[vinny-two-shoes]

Transom rebuild

Pull the drive, engine, and transom assy

Remove glass and wood from the inside (bilge) to outside (gel coat) until dry, solid wood is found

Replace as needed with new wood cut to fit, preferably white oak but layered marine grade plywood will suffice. Re glass the inside, paint and reinstall the engine/running gear. Go boating

thanks, are you able to point me to any resources or detailed procedures involved in completing a task like this?

 

[flashback]

Several threads in this forum that are very detailed..

 

[JASinIL2006]

Sorry, looks like replacing a transom (and probably stringers) is in your future. It’s a bummer to find that kind of rot, but many of us have been there, too.