Re: Just Bought 1973 Cobalt Need Help!!!!!
So for instance cause I am a new boater If I had to replace the floors and transom and all that whats that looking like? I would like to do it myself...So on the cobalt the transom is a piece of wood?
If you can do it yourself or not is hard for us to tell. Look around in the restoration forum then you tell us if you think you can handle it. BTW, you dont have floors in that boat, you have a DECK. Not being rude, just helping you name things right.
Get the navigation course from the Power Squadron or the Coast Guard before you are going out on her. Believe me, it can save your life and others plus it will give you a lot of information you dont even knew you needed. For example, your boat is an inboard, so if you try to start your boat without using the blower for about 5 minutes you can blow up... The course can also get you in contact with fellow boaters in your area that can either learn with you or help you along. If you have taken the course already then a high five to you.
I am not familiar with your specific rig, but most fiberglass boats that old are going to have wood in the transom, stringers and deck. The will also have some foam under the deck which if it is waterlogged will cause problems so you will have to remove it.
If your deck is rotting you need to inspect the stringers, transom and the foam under the deck (if any) as these 4 goes together. A quick check on the transom can be done by taping on it with a rubber or plastic hammer. A muffled thud is indicative of water and/or rot in your transom. This test is generally done before you buy the boat. Now that you own the boat you can drill a hole in the transom on the inside of the boat. I will say around half the thickness of the transom. See if the wood comes dry or wet. Do this as close to the deck and as close to your motor as possible, then to the side and close to the deck also. You can later patch the holes with 5200, marintex or glass it. No more than 4 holes total. It dont need to be a large drill bit either. a 1/4 or 3/8 inch bit will be fine.
To check the stringers (the stringers support your deck on the hull) (hull is the main body of your boat) you will have to remove your deck or at least a portion of it. If you are only removing part of your deck is good to know that rot generally starts in the stern ( the back of your boat) as most boats are stored with the bow (the forward part of your boat) up but the bow should also be checked as many careless boaters do store their boats with the bow down. If you take all of your deck out then inspect the entire length of your stringers.
To check your FOAM (fiberglass was a brain f@rt typo) to be waterlogged or not use a pipe and punch a hole on it going all the way down to the hull being careful not to damage the hull. Pull the pipe and inspect the foam. It should be dry. Check it in many other places. You can push the foam back with some sealant in place if all check ok.
As a general rule, if your floor is seriously rotted so will be your stringers and transom. Most of the time the foam being waterlogged is the culprit. If you find problem in one, check them all...
Good luck, keep us posted.
