Repair questions for the boat I've just purchased.

Bob_VT

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Re: Repair questions for the boat I've just purchased.

OMG I almost forgot!! :eek:

Welcome to iboats!!! Since this is your first boat I strongly suggest a boater safety course for both you and the wife. We really like our member's to stick around. :)

Browse though iboats and you will see just about everything you need is available here in the iboats store.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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Re: Repair questions for the boat I've just purchased.

Welcome to iboats.

while I agree the boat needs to be fully inspected and the ski locker "fixes" and the gel cracking in the transom are not right. the "trip hazard" that jbcurt00 pointed out in the bow area is somewhat common on a few runabouts. the sole/deck is laid on the stringers and the bow seating and floor are part of the cap which rests on the sole. I would worry more about the transom, stringers and floor and not worry about the "trip hazard" until you stub your toe.

I would spend a bit of time reading in the restoration area on test drilling and core samples to determine exactly what you have.
 

ua4ever

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Re: Repair questions for the boat I've just purchased.

Thanks again for all the input and suggestions. A nice bunch of folks here.

I'll be testing and fixing the small stuff. My hope is that the boat could do at least one season before I need to mention a big restore project to the wife.

Yeah. The course. I'll be taking it soon. It's now a requirement (at least for those that are younger than 60 I think) here in VA.
 
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Scott Danforth

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Re: Repair questions for the boat I've just purchased.

plan for the worst, hope for the best
 

ua4ever

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Re: Repair questions for the boat I've just purchased.

I poked around this forum and it seems that a large number of used boats even younger ones have rot and other issues with transom, stringers, decks.

What gives? Is it abuse and lack of maintenance by the owners? Poor construction? Or just the fact that there are no reasonably priced materials that can stand the elements for more than several years?

If I do a restoration the way it is described in some of the threads, how long will the boat last after that?
 

Scott Danforth

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Re: Repair questions for the boat I've just purchased.

boats are meant to have water on the outside of the hull. never on the inside of the hull. most people do not realize this fact until the stringers, transom, floor, and interior have rotted.

the outside hull of the boat is carefully coated in gelcoat to seal the hull. the inside stringers, transom and floor are generally hastily thrown together and slapped with fiberglass or a chopper gun to get the interior in quickly to get it out the door.

Plus, small boats are meant to last about 5-10 years and be replaced just like cars.

And just like cars, if it is garage kept, well maintained and cared for, they will be like new for many decades. if not, and they are left neglected and exposed to the elements, they last for about 5-10 years.

If I do a restoration the way it is described in some of the threads, how long will the boat last after that?
with proper maintenance, care, and storage, it will last until your grand-kids sell it.
 
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Gator1996

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Re: Repair questions for the boat I've just purchased.

I also have a Stingray boat. Mine is a 1988. I am also in VA by the way. What area are you in?

In looking at your pictures, there are a lot of similarities between our boats in how the gel coat aged. In my boat, the chips and some of the cracks especially led me to noting as I ground them out during my restore. My opinion on some of the questions/ comments so far.

1. I had the exact same cracks around my bow eye, when I pulled the cap and took a look at the mounting of the bow eye it was solid as a rock with no rot in the backing wood. The cracks were just a sign of the gel's age.
2. I did not have any of the cracks in the gel that you do around the transom mount for the outdrive and my transom was total mulch so those cracks don't necessarily mean yours is too. I would tend to agree with whoever said that the outdrive may have made solid contact with the bottom. But no one can be sure so get in there and take some samples.
3. Someone else mentioned the trip hazard in the walk thru windshield. That is factory, mine had the same exact thing. It was actually supported by a giant blob of expanding foam underneath. I wonder if yours is too. So again, no indication that is a problem. I would say if anything I'd be pretty jazzed that the windshield is in alignment. Doesn't happen too often with a rotten boat from what I've seen.
4. I did not have a ski locker so I can't say anything about it except for the obvious, the untreated wood someone used to support the deck. I think it would be hard for anyone to determine the exact purpose via the pictures. I imagine we can all draw a conclusion but who knows. If it were me, I'd get in there, yank out the carpet and feel around to check for something obvious; wood rotting, extreme wetness, bugs or the like that gravitate around rot.
5. As far as the interior, it looks like its in good shape and well-cared for trust me my boat was two years older and the trim panels were held together by the foam, not the plywood. Maybe it has been re-done but if it has, so what? be happy it looks as good as it does.
5. The PO or Pos have put money in the boat as far as maintenance, the motor looks clean, riser looks new, battery looks new, a fuel/water separator was added and so was the battery selector switch, not sure if its a two battery system or not but all of those are upgrades from the original equipment.
6. The trailer looks to be in good shape, 100 times better than mine. That spare looks brand new.
7. Assuming you have the full canvas enclosures, that is also a big plus.

So after my novel, my conclusion is that you definitely have a concern or two in the stress cracks on the transom gel. Get back in the stern area and see what you can find. I will say that mine seemed solid, then when I drilled a couple of holes, I found that it wasn't. The ski locker/deck same thing drill a couple of holes and see what you get. If it is solid/dry to your satisfaction you're good to go. I'm not sure if you shared how much you paid or even want to but if you got a screaming deal, the PO seemed super motivated or like he was hiding something, I might do a bit more digging. If the guy seemed honest and open to questions and he gave you a fair deal, I would feel much more confident.

As far as the condition of rest of the boat, I'd say get her wet. I know what kind of quality Stingray was producing at that time and I can guarantee you that if that boat hadn't been well cared for after 23 years it would look a lot worse than it does and I have the pictures to prove it.
 
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JASinIL2006

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Re: Repair questions for the boat I've just purchased.

Thanks again for all the input and suggestions. A nice bunch of folks here.

I'll be testing and fixing the small stuff. My hope is that the boat could do at least one season before I need to mention a big restore project to the wife.

Yeah. The course. I'll be taking it soon. It's now a requirement (at least for those that are younger than 60 I think) here in VA.

I hope you can use it for season before you need to do any significant work on it (if the boat indeed needs it). In my case, we had a summer of use before discovering the problems that led to a restoration. Having the chance to enjoy the boat, and seeing how much fun it was for us and especially the kids, made it easier to talk with She Who Must Be Obeyed about the cost. It also was what motivated me when the going got tough.

If you read many restoration threads, you will see that many of them involved folks just like you (and me): first time boat buyers who just wanted to get into boating by buying a used boat. (Although even some more experienced boaters unknowingly buy a boat with a hidden problem.)

I hope your inspection yields good news and you can get in a season (or more) before you need to do any major work.

Jim
 

ua4ever

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Re: Repair questions for the boat I've just purchased.

I'm in Northern VA by 95 near Occoquan (so, close to a boat ramp). Thanks for the encouragement. The PO seems honest. The price was just under $5K (is it a deal?) I do see the upgrades. It's a two-battery system.

I guess I'll spend some time this weekend drilling.
 

Gator1996

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Re: Repair questions for the boat I've just purchased.

I'm in Chesapeake, the Norfolk/Va Beach area. One of my kids lives in Arlington and teaches up there.

Well, it sounds as if you paid at the high end of the retail range. I hope that it proves to be a good buy for you.

I clicked on one of the images and took a look at the other pictures. Definitely a re-do on the bow cushions and captain's chairs are not original. Still not too sure on the trim panels on the sides. The stern bench seat looks like it was done professionally at least, may not be stock though.

If the drilling comes out well, I think some one may have posted a good checklist to start with before moving forward within your thread. This would be a good place to start, also look for a manual for your motor, that's a big deal too. Lots of good info in the "Adults Only" section of the Mercruiser I/O Repair forum. Hopefully you can use the remainder of this winter to get to know your boat and it's systems and ensure its safe for you and your family then next fall/winter you can tackle that paint/gelcoat job. I especially hope that there is no fiberglass grinding in your immediate future. Let us know the results!
 

ua4ever

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Re: Repair questions for the boat I've just purchased.

Chesapeake. Very dear and near to my heart. I was a camp counselor at Triple R ranch for two summers in my youth and have good friends in the Tidewater area. Next month we'll go to a wedding of one of these friends over there.
 

Gator1996

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Re: Repair questions for the boat I've just purchased.

Small world, my twin daughters worked at Triple R. Its about 15 minutes away from my house. We live right off Hillwell Rd.
Again, good luck to you. I hope we hear good news.
 

Starcraft5834

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Re: Repair questions for the boat I've just purchased.

just took a peek,, nice looking boat there,,,,,your ? above, you answered most of them yourself,, I would suggest lack of maintenance, once you get squared away with your repairs, keep it covered. boats are suppose to sit in water, not necessarily take on water continually from rain/snow. Once you get fixed up, no reason why your boat wont serve you well for another 25 years...
 

greenbush future

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Re: Repair questions for the boat I've just purchased.

I like the lines on your boat, I can see why you like her too. Getting everything big, assessed before you spend any $$ would be a wise choice. That way if you have a major issue, you can decide now if it's worth it or if you don't want to do the project. Lots of times we go spend $$ on small unimportant things and then change pour minds about the big repair it may need. The boat to me looks like it's in decent shape for the age, but rot is rot, and figuring out how much (if any) you have IS the key to what you have to work with. Depending on the temps where you are, the transom could be frozen wet, and not flex when ya stand on the outdrive to see if you have flex. Better choice is to drill from the inside of your transom down low where water would collect and cause rot. If there is rot in your transom, then you have some choices to make about the work it will take to make it safe. Again, I really do think it looks nice, just gotta get those cheap braces out from around the floor locker. It's a dead give away to floor flex, which usually means rot. If you can get to the stringers under the floor and check them out too, with a drill, check the shavings for mulchy wet , or nice light colored wood. Have fun with you boat.
 

ua4ever

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Re: Repair questions for the boat I've just purchased.

the transom could be frozen wet, and not flex when ya stand on the outdrive to see if you have flex.

Good point. I haven't thought of that. Thanks.

Guys, you are all great help. I appreciate it.
 
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