1989 Bayliner 1800 Capri - floor rot

[nyykk1]

I own a 1989 Bayliner 1800 Capri and I noticed this year I have some floor rot. How hard is it to replace the floor by myself. I've read a lot of the threads here and it seems like it's tedious work rather than hard work.

I'm pretty handy with tools and wood, but I've never taken on a project like this before.

I've read threads saying it takes approximately 50-60 hrs ... is this a good estimate?

Engine, Mercruiser 3.0L, is new, under 50 hrs on it. So I think it's worth getting the boat floor repaired.

Some pics are attached ...

 

[smoke on the water]

Re: 1989 Bayliner 1800 Capri - floor rot

hey pal, im goin thru the same thing, just got my first boat and the floor is rotted, I really hope all goes well, maybe we can compare notes, I have a 1988 maxum, 17' 3.0 inboard. Both of our hulls are basically identical. Hope we can help each other out. Your boat looks like it has great potential. Let me know what you intent to use to get the glass cut at the edges, im thinkin grinder, but I was told a chisel and hammer.

 

[Isaacm1986]

Re: 1989 Bayliner 1800 Capri - floor rot

With a solid engine and drive, I would take the time to fix the deck. Make sure to check the transom and stringers as well, they are probably rotten as well. Those bayliners are great boats, I have a 1800 last year I swapped a 5.7 liter into. Fun boat.

 

[nyykk1]

Re: 1989 Bayliner 1800 Capri - floor rot

Hey Smoke on the Water,

This is my first boat too, had it for about 5 yrs now, just re-powered a yr and a half ago. We had really bad weather last summer so I didn't get to use it as much as I wanted. I was looking forward to this year and now bad news. I was contemplating getting the floor repaired professionally, so I could back on the water quickly. But, I'm thinking the cost will be too much.

As for getting the glass at the edges, chisel and hammer sounds good.

I'm looking for suggestions on the whole project: tools, materials, steps ...

 

[Isaacm1986]

Re: 1989 Bayliner 1800 Capri - floor rot

Well there is a lot to it. The best way is to read the other threads on here. Everyone restoring a boat is putting a new deck in.

If it were my boat, this is how I would do it.

1. access all the rot damage stringers, transom, and deck
2. Remove the motor and drive
3. Remove the rub rail
4. separate the cap from the hull.
5. Rip up the old deck
6. Rip out stringers (if needed)
7. Tear out transom (if needed)
8. Replace transom with exterior grade plywood and cut to match the current with of transom and glass into place.
9. Replace stringers and glass into place
10. Replace deck with exterior grade plywood sealed with epoxy resin and the fiberglassed into place.
11. Install motor and drive.

As far as tools go, you will need:

1. Shop vac
2. Circular saw
3. grinder
4. gloves
5. tyveck suits
6. resporator
7. misc. tools, hammer, pry bar...whatever it takes to get the job done.

That is it in a nutshell. But read some of the threads. There is a lot more detailed info on what to use and how to use it. Do a search for Hull Extension, anything you want to know about fiberglass work, and replacing decks, stringers, and transom is in that thread. There are also a lot of good other threads with great info in them. Just take some time and look around before tearing into the project. If you decide to do it, start a restoration thread and there will be a lot of people to help answer any questions.

Hope this is helpful.

 

[nyykk1]

Re: 1989 Bayliner 1800 Capri - floor rot

Isaacm1986,

Thanks for the advice and the task list. I have a 4 day weekend coming up, so I'm going to look at it more to determine the complete rot and plan out my project. Will post more pics tomorrow.