89 Donzi 17' Help

[zoonker]

Hello. New to this site and have spent the last few days tearing my new to me boat apart, as well as reading as many threads as i can. I will try to get all terminology correct, and will not try to be reduntant as far as answers i can find in other posts.

i purchased an 89 Donzi Regazza with a 4.3l OMC Cobra knowing the block was cracked. That is not my issue as i have a block and machine shop that will do the rebuild for a great price. My problem is that I notice a soft spot on the floor and while the eninge is being reworked i decided to look at it.

The previous owner (only 1 owner boat) must have had deck work done around the fuel tank and it did not get sealed properly. The stringers are rotten all around the tank, but seem to be perfect in front and behind. I removed the tank and feel confident that i can repair the stringers thanks to all the posts here on iboat.

Questions???

1. when i cut out a portion of the deck next to the fuel tank, it has fiberglass mat UNDER the deck and above the foam. is this common or something donzi does?

2. the secondary stringers in front of the bilge and behind the tank, and in front of the tank and behind the ski locker are rotted. Does the fuel tank area drain into the keel or is it supposed to be sealed?

3. the bow is all fiberglas is not removeable. If the stringers are rotted underneath it, do i scrap the boat?

i have a few pics, but may not show well. thank you!!!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 89 Donzi 17' Help

Welcome to iboats

You really should uncap the hull. Donzi's can be opened up and that would be the best repair (doing it the right way).

 

[zoonker]

Re: 89 Donzi 17' Help

i havent yet seen the condition of the stringers other than from the tank area. if the damage is localized to around the tank, i can just repair that area, correct? i would rather not uncap the bow, but will do if need be.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 89 Donzi 17' Help

Well...... you really need to determine if it is just localized to one place (I have my doubts) and check the transom too.

 

[zoonker]

Re: 89 Donzi 17' Help

I do know the transom is solid with no damage. is there normally fiberglass mat under the deck?

 

[hdniac]

Re: 89 Donzi 17' Help

your in way over your head . i worked for donzi in lauderdale lakes
& was let go for my continued bitching about the sad quality boats that were being built . i own a 19ft. center counsel st. tropez
hull #4 of 123 that were built . it was a 3 year project disassembly
resto . she is a beauty .

 

[CarTuner]

Re: 89 Donzi 17' Help

I'm in the midst of restoring my 1988 23' Regazza. Both the floor and the stringers (from the console back) were rotted. This was due in part to both a poorly redone deck by the previous owner, and poor build quality from the factory which led to the stringer rot.

Questions???

1. when i cut out a portion of the deck next to the fuel tank, it has fiberglass mat UNDER the deck and above the foam. is this common or something donzi does?

From what I can see on my boat, and I would think your boat would have similar construction techniques as mine, the deck was not coated on the underside with resin or glass. It was just 1/2" plywood nailed onto the tops of the stringers, glassed along the edges, and then carpeted over.

2. the secondary stringers in front of the bilge and behind the tank, and in front of the tank and behind the ski locker are rotted. Does the fuel tank area drain into the keel or is it supposed to be sealed?

I'm not 100% certain, but it should drain to the keel. There should be a drain hole in the center of the bulkhead in front of the engine. Any water that found its way underneath the tank would then drain to the bilge through that hole.

3. the bow is all fiberglas is not removeable. If the stringers are rotted underneath it, do i scrap the boat?

Depends on how 'inaccessible' they really are. I chose to rebuild my stringers with Nidabond Pourable Transom Compound. My stringers were 99% encapsulated with fiberglass, but that 1% that was open let water get in and rot them into mulch. So I removed all the rotten wood from the center (ie, liposuction) and filled the cavity with the Nidabond. Thus, I didn't have to tear out the stringers from the boat. Maybe you can do a similar repair.

 

[oops!]

Re: 89 Donzi 17' Help

welcome to i boats you are in the right place


Questions???

1. when i cut out a portion of the deck next to the fuel tank, it has fiberglass mat UNDER the deck and above the foam. is this common or something donzi does?


this is the proper way to encapsulate a deck....under the deck and over, resin by itself is weak,,,it needs the fiberglass to be strong, and proctect your deck

2. the secondary stringers in front of the bilge and behind the tank, and in front of the tank and behind the ski locker are rotted. Does the fuel tank area drain into the keel or is it supposed to be sealed?

all areas should drain to the bilge

3. the bow is all fiberglas is not removeable. If the stringers are rotted underneath it, do i scrap the boat?

that is your choice....but i absolutely would not...i would pull the cap and repair it.

your in way over your head

welcome to iboats ,,,,i look forward to your future posts,,,,however i respectfully totally disagree with this statement.
here at iboats we have seen hundreds of totally sucessfull renovation/restorations of all types of boats....from 10 foot pickle forks to tinnys all the way to the big stuff....all bu people that had never glassed or done any boat work of any kind....

hull #4 of 123 that were built . it was a 3 year project disassembly
resto . she is a beauty .

we would all love to see pics of the restoration and a narration of how you did it and what products you used...we have a completed projects forum here your donzi might make a great addition to it

to the op.....

YES....YOU CAN DO IT

first ....read read read...right here at i boats. the completed projects forum redfury has a great thread in there and a good tutorial....as well....the hull extension thread (in my sig) is some of the best discussions on glassing and boat building on this forum.

as far as pulling the cap.......lets not go there right now.....first you must find the extent of the rot.....listen bud, your boat is toast the way it is...you are allready ripping it apart....so continue ...but dont be shy about it....rip the whole deck out first....right up to where the front portion is....
then rip out the foam.....and the gas tank (this will take one full hard day)

once it is all out...you will see how far the rot goes and what you have to do to repair it....we can and will walk you right thru it.

post more pics and keep atter.....your reward is a fantastic boat after you are done!

cheers
oops