1979 chrysler striper

[brokenwrist]

So a couple weeks ago I bought a 79 chrysler striper (already getting help on the outboard from the other section). When I got it, I noticed in several places cracks in the gelcoat, before I pulled the trigger and bought the boat, I took a screw driver with me and tapped all around the transom, sounded solid all around. Any way got it home started cleaning it up and noticed humps in my deck. Anyone know what would cause these? I have already planned on within the next couple of years pulling it all apart and redoing it. I know the top cap comes off with some work, but the floor appears to glassed (and poorly at that) to the sides. Is this correct?I absolutely hate the 70's color combo on this thing. I also plan on once the rebuild is done, repowering with a newer 4 stroke outboard, nothing against chrysler or 2 strokes in general, just have never been a fan. Any tips, advice and pointers in the right direction are more than welcome. I do fear though that the gel coat will have to come off entirely in every place that its cracked. I will post some pictures within the next couple of days.

 

[nurseman]

Welcome to iboats! Post up some pics and let us see what you see. If you aren't familiar with posting pics here on iboats, there is a great tutorial in the "How to" sticky at the top of the main boat resto page.

I'm sure some of the more knowledgeable will stop by and offer their wisdom , but it seems to me that humps in the deck would indicate moisture problems below, especially if the glassing on the floor is suspect. Generally the deck and hull sides are tabbed together to provide structural rigidity as well as keep water out from under the deck.
You might want to drill some core samples in the transom (on the inside!) and check the shavings. Dry and light colored mean good wood, dark shavings mean wet wood. Tapping on things with a screwdriver is an iffy method at best, because if the wood is just wet, it will sound solid, but it will still continue to rot.
Looking forward to seeing your pics!

 

[brokenwrist]

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[brokenwrist]

All right guys as promised here are a couple overall pictures of my rough diamond, with the last few being closeups of the gel coat cracking if different areas. #5 is floor level looking back to the inside transom ( I need to get in there and poke around to see if I can see are weak spots). I currently have the trailer tongue almost 4 feet in the air to add extra insurance to making sure it will drain whatever water runs into the bilge. I plan on everywhere there was snaps for the top that it didn't come with, glassing behind them on the inside and them filling them from the outside. That way I can get a new top for it, and it'll look so much better. Haven't decided on paint color yet, but I was toying with cobalt metallic blue. I do have the original seats but I am going to build new seat boxes and mount folding seats like one other poster did. Only mine will be permanently mounted to the floor with the top being hinged for storage.