1994 Regal Valanti..stringer issue??? (added photos)

[JP Fla]

Looked at a 1994 Regal Valanti 233, it had the engine and outdrive replaced in 2005. The stringers under the engine appear to have been damaged in some way, and fiberglassed to repair. Is this model known to have problems like this, the owner said they were damaged and repaired during the engine install (Yahama to Merc). Any other comments on this boat/model would be appreciated. Thanks. Here are a couple of pics from the owner...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Looking to buy 1994 Regal Valanti....

Re: Looking to buy 1994 Regal Valanti....

Regal has always built decent mid-level boats and has even has some fairly aggressive and unique hull designs. In a 15 year old boat, the stringer damage was likely due to rot. The stringers are typically plywood wrapped in fiberglass. If water gets in, the wood turns to mush. When the engine was replaced they may not have had any decent wood left in the motor mounts for mounting the new engine. I'd be concerned about the rest of the stringers and transom. Check carefully for any soft spots in the deck and examine the transom as best you can.

 

[snmpgh]

Re: Looking to buy 1994 Regal Valanti....

Re: Looking to buy 1994 Regal Valanti....

I have a 1994 Valanti 256 and erally like the boat. Gets on plane well (unless my fat boss is sitting in the back). Pretty sure the stringers are plywood wrapped in fibergalss. I had mine checked when i bought the boat last year. Still very solid. The glass in the engine hold is in great shape, except for one spot where is is starting to flake and I will fix that this winter.

Do yourself a favor, get a marine survey done. It may be $500 to $700 dollars, but that is peanuts compared to what a rotted transom or more rotted stringers would cost to replace. My guess is that they were damaged during the engine swap (its a tight fit to get it in there). But better safe than sorry.

Mike

 

[scutly]

Re: Looking to buy 1994 Regal Valanti....

Re: Looking to buy 1994 Regal Valanti....

i have the 94 regal ventura 23' and i love her. she plains out at like 17 mph in like 3 seconds and 3/4 throttle. although i did not get a survey done before i bought her, shes solid as a rock so far and rides super comfortable in moderate chop. i looked at a valanti same year as well and almost bought that one but i liked the seating layout on the ventura. i would think it wouldnt take much to damage the stringers under the engine during install if your not careful. lots of solid metal weight swingin around on a chain smackin into fiberglass.

 

[JP Fla]

Re: 1994 Regal Valanti..stringer issue??? (added photos)

Thanks for the replies, I added a couple photos. It origially had a Yamaha, didn't know they even made I/Os switched to Merc 5.7 in 05.

 

[snmpgh]

Re: 1994 Regal Valanti..stringer issue??? (added photos)

No idea Yahama made sterndrives either. The damage I can see in the one pic looks like it was caused by an over eager mechanic. I would make sure any exposed wood is recoated in fiberglass as well as checking where new wood meets old wood for soft spots.

Mike

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1994 Regal Valanti..stringer issue??? (added photos)

Yeah Yamaha very briefly made stern drives. Good luck finding parts for one if you've got one!!