1987 ProCraft 1780V Top cap removed WITH floor?

[GigaBobs]

Is it possible to remove the top cap off an 87 ProCraft 1780V WITHOUT first removing the carpeting/flooring? I ask the question for couple reasons... My father had new floors and carpeting installed early 2008. Unfortunately, he was ill at the time and unable to "watch" the installer. He also passed away a few months later. I have had this boat for the last several years and have just recently repainted the entire boat (exterior) - The Florida sun and elements did no favors for this boat. It is now in my garage in Virginia. Anyway, I just got the boat exterior completed, and knowing there were some repair issues under the battery trays, I recently inspected. To my dismay, it seems the entire floor area in the battery compartment and under the fuel tank is completely rotten. I am beginning a process now to repair. Thus the reason for my question - MUST I remove all this new flooring to get the top cap off, or will the cap come up without tearing up all this "new" work?

My first thought was to remove the fuel tank and see if I can visually find an end to the rot before it gets to the seats and flooring. But my fear is there may not be an end to the rot. Initial inspections from inside the front compartments look good - under the new flooring. Any thoughts, advice or questions for me are appreciated. Thanks

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: 1987 ProCraft 1780V Top cap removed WITH floor?

Welcome to iboats Dry Dock.

Well you've come to the right place. I've restored two of the exact same boat, still own one of them.

Unfortunately, the answer is no. This area of rot is very common, and I would be VERY suprised if this is the only area with rot. You're talking about the two side rasied sections in the bilge area, just behind the two rear seats. You'll see that the top cap is glassed (tabbed down) to that section of decking you're referring too. You might get lucky and be able to cut that loose and slide new plywood under it (if and only if that is the only rotten wood you have) and then glass it back in. That sections attaches to one of the stringers as well.

I'm sure though once you get into it you're going to find water soaked foam as well, luckly ProCraft used sheet foam rather than injected foam so it's easier to deal with. I'm sure you're going to end up pulling the top cap (no fun job) to do the repairs properly. The cap removal on that model is tricky since it has such a deep splash well (that is glassed into the transom) plus it's tabbed in at the front of each console (both sides) and in the front stroage compartments. It is also attached to the deck all the way around, with an adhesive and wood screws, (under your new carpet).

Bet this isn't what you wanted to hear.....look at the bright side...I don't need pictures cause I know exactly what you're talking about.

 

[GigaBobs]

Re: 1987 ProCraft 1780V Top cap removed WITH floor?

Welcome to iboats Dry Dock.

Well you've come to the right place. I've restored two of the exact same boat, still own one of them.

Unfortunately, the answer is no. This area of rot is very common, and I would be VERY suprised if this is the only area with rot. You're talking about the two side rasied sections in the bilge area, just behind the two rear seats. You'll see that the top cap is glassed (tabbed down) to that section of decking you're referring too. You might get lucky and be able to cut that loose and slide new plywood under it (if and only if that is the only rotten wood you have) and then glass it back in. That sections attaches to one of the stringers as well.

I'm sure though once you get into it you're going to find water soaked foam as well, luckly ProCraft used sheet foam rather than injected foam so it's easier to deal with. I'm sure you're going to end up pulling the top cap (no fun job) to do the repairs properly. The cap removal on that model is tricky since it has such a deep splash well (that is glassed into the transom) plus it's tabbed in at the front of each console (both sides) and in the front stroage compartments. It is also attached to the deck all the way around, with an adhesive and wood screws, (under your new carpet).

Bet this isn't what you wanted to hear.....look at the bright side...I don't need pictures cause I know exactly what you're talking about.

Thanks Cadwelder - Well, the only photos I took last night were closeups of the rot in the bilge area. And yes, its the two raised areas on the right and left sides, but also the glassed-in stringers that support those two areas are basically hollow - the wood has disintegrated in there. I noticed the problem due to the plywood "shelf" that is supposed to be under the fuel tank. This had rotted and fell into the hull, which did not allow water to drain to the rear. And yes too, the foam that I have found so far is soaked. The previous owner had done some repairs in this area, but I'm finding now those only covered up the problem - out of sight, out of mind, I guess. I'd like to continue scripting my progress here, with photos, so I (and others interested) can follow the process. Thanks again for your insight . I've already asked the wife for some patience.

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: 1987 ProCraft 1780V Top cap removed WITH floor?

Thanks Cadwelder - Well, the only photos I took last night were closeups of the rot in the bilge area. And yes, its the two raised areas on the right and left sides, but also the glassed-in stringers that support those two areas are basically hollow - the wood has disintegrated in there. I noticed the problem due to the plywood "shelf" that is supposed to be under the fuel tank. This had rotted and fell into the hull, which did not allow water to drain to the rear. And yes too, the foam that I have found so far is soaked. The previous owner had done some repairs in this area, but I'm finding now those only covered up the problem - out of sight, out of mind, I guess. I'd like to continue scripting my progress here, with photos, so I (and others interested) can follow the process. Thanks again for your insight . I've already asked the wife for some patience.

No problem....so you know now you have a complete restore on your hands...but I really like that style boat. The passenger seats lays all the way down so wifey can lay in the sun while you slay the bass population. The windshield is flat rather than curved so it's easy to replace if you ever need to. The back casting deck is a bit small because of the two rear seats but thats a sacrifice for the 'fish & ski" part. Mine orgianlly had a 115HP, but I changed it out to a 150, runs in the high 60's MPH.

You'll see as you get into the tear down, but the gas tank is 24 gallons and can be removed thru the bilge lid without taking anything else out, slide some old seat belt webbing under it (to lift with)and get a person on each side and it'll lift right out.

I built a solid fiberglass transom (way overkill and costly, but it was just something I wanted to try) just use plywood back for everything, like it is now. Good luck and post anything question you come up with. I know that boat like the back of my hand.

 

[GigaBobs]

Re: 1987 ProCraft 1780V Top cap removed WITH floor?

This boat is actually not a fish & ski. Its a two-seater (with cooler in between), and single console. So the rear deck has the large bilge area deck lid, two large compartment lids and live well - plus the insert for fishing seat. I've also seen a thread here somewhere of a guy with the same boat that did the front deck extension, something I've wanted to do - since Procraft left a blank space from in front of the console to the passenger-side rod locker. I'll be able to tell more with the removal of the fuel tank. Here's a photo of the boat during recent paint job:

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: 1987 ProCraft 1780V Top cap removed WITH floor?

This boat is actually not a fish & ski. Its a two-seater (with cooler in between), and single console. So the rear deck has the large bilge area deck lid, two large compartment lids and live well - plus the insert for fishing seat. I've also seen a thread here somewhere of a guy with the same boat that did the front deck extension, something I've wanted to do - since Procraft left a blank space from in front of the console to the passenger-side rod locker. I'll be able to tell more with the removal of the fuel tank. Here's a photo of the boat during recent paint job:

Ahh okay....both I done where fish and ski and where 1780V also. I know they made a few variations of them. But I'm sure the structure underneath is still the same. They only real difference was the casting decks and consoles and the ski locker below the deck. Does yours have the small live well in the front too? With those terrible thru hull drain fittings?

 

[GigaBobs]

Re: 1987 ProCraft 1780V Top cap removed WITH floor?

O yes... The small live well with the through hull directly below it going out the bottom of the boat...

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: 1987 ProCraft 1780V Top cap removed WITH floor?

O yes... The small live well with the through hull directly below it going out the bottom of the boat...

Yep that's it....bad design. I patched those holes during my restores and routed hose under the deck to the rear.

 

[Ben Cooper]

Re: 1987 ProCraft 1780V Top cap removed WITH floor?

Does anyone have pictures of their restoration of 87 procraft floor removal or cap removal? I have a 1780 with one console with a soft spot in the middle between the seats in front of the little storage area.