84 searay srv 197 partial restoration

[jdmackes]

I found this forum while looking for tips on how to replace the floor on the searay I just got from my dad. The floor is rotted out in several places, and I wanted to replace it all and put down something like the spray in truckbed liners instead of the carpet, as I thought that would hold up better and be easier to clean. I've had a hard time finding out what type of wood to use (some places said marine plywood, some said just use regular) and what else I should do before I put down 'rhino-tuff'. The other problem is that the boat has been sitting for at least 5 years (probably longer) and I'm unsure where to start with the engine. It has a 228 mercruiser i/o, and as far as my dad knows it runs perfectly fine. It was rebuilt right before he stopped using it and ran perfectly then, but since it's been sitting for so long I wanted to see what you guys though I should do before I try to start it up. I would appreciate any help you guys could give me, I'm really excited about getting her running again. Thanks in advance! (if you need anymore info/pics please let me know)

 

[jdmackes]

Re: 84 searay srv 197 partial restoration

I've started ripping up the carpet and the entire floor is shot. I started to take some of it up, but I noticed that it's glassed on both sides, is that normal? I've seen it glassed on the top, but not really on the bottom, and I just want to make sure that I'm not ripping out sections that I'm not supposed to. I know from reading Tiwaz's restoration (http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=281276) it looks like his was the same, but I may have just been reading it incorrectly. I want to go out and get the new floor, and whatever parts I need for the motor, but I'm honestly not 100% sure on where to start. I've heard use marine grade plywood, other people say don't waste the money and just use pressure treated plywood and epoxy. I want this to last and don't want to have to redo everything in a few years. I would appreciate any input you guys have, all of this is new to me. Even if it's just a link to somewhere that would help, I've tried looking in the forums and I've gotten some ideas (especially with bringing the motor back to life) I'm just a little stumped on the flooring.

 

[oops!]

Re: 84 searay srv 197 partial restoration

hi bud.....welcome to iboats. you are in the right place.

first off....i love the "partial restoration" idea...lol...(dont worry, you will understand later )

ok....wood....forget the marine. use either pressure treated or standard exterior grade plywood.

if you sue pressure treated....it must be well dryed. (it is not dry from the store) you will need a good month with pt. in a warm place with a fan on it.
standard exterior grade will take a week or two hot days in direct sulight with little humidity and a fan on it.

you can use standard polyester resin with fiberglass. epoxy is expencive, and has its merits, but it will cost 2x as much as the poly and you are doing a large area.

glass on the underside of the deck is a good thing.

you will also need to take some core samples of the stringers and transom.
i think there is flotation foam in the boat.....dig into it right to the hull.....it will be wet and needs to be replaced or at least removed.

as far as the motor.....if it was winterized properly you should have no problems, but check on our motor forums for the link on awakening a sleeping engine. you should also check/replace the bellows.

the link in my sig is some of the most comprehensive info on glassing and doing a restoration of a boat. it is also (or was) a searay srv190.

cheers
oops

 

[jdmackes]

Re: 84 searay srv 197 partial restoration

Thanks! I'm starting to understand what you mean with the partial restoration too... everything I thought I'd be able to do quickly and easily has gotten way more complicated. Oh well, I'm sure it'll be worth it, but first of all I have to make sure that the engine will still run, cause I don't have the money for large repairs or a new engine. It should have been winterized, so I'm crossing my fingers that everything will fireup with just standard awaking techniques. I'll get some pics up in the next day or two also. With the glass underneath the current deck, should I rip that up too or leave it? If I do need to rip it up do I simply reglass the wood when I put down the new deck?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 84 searay srv 197 partial restoration

Welcome to iBoats!

You are at the beginning of a NEW Adventure. First of all a little terminology check. Boats don't have floors. It's called a deck. The Deck is attached to Stringers, those are usually 1 to 2 inches thick pieces of fiberglass encased wood that run the length of the boat with sometimes support pieces running longitudinally to the sides and in between. These are attached to the Hull and this is what supports the deck. Your Outdrive hangs on the Transom, which is basically the entire back portion of the boat. To ensure your boat is structurally sound you need to drill some exploratory holes in the stringers and the transom to determine if they are solid and not water logged and rotting. Do this by taking a 3/8 inch drill bit and drilling into the stringers and the transom down low and see what kind of shavings you get. (Be careful NOT to drill all the way thru your transom) Tan and dry or Dark and Wet. If the DECK is this bad I highly suspect that the Stringers and the Transom will have some damage as well. If You get dark and wet shavings then you will need to replace them. Since you have the deck off you need to do as much investigation below deck as possible to ensure the safety and integrity of the superstructure before you close everything back up with your new deck. I agree with OOPS Ext. Grade ply, Poly resin and glass and your deck will last as long as you do. Just make sure all below is good to go.

I'm just sayin...

 

[jdmackes]

Re: 84 searay srv 197 partial restoration

Thanks, I appreciate the input and the lesson on what everything is called. It's all new to me so I was trying to pickup and understand what I could little by little, I'll get better though . I'll remove the rest of the deck tomorrow and check the stringers and transom, hopefully they'll be dry but for as long as this boat has been sitting, it wouldnt' surprise me at all if they're rotted.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 84 searay srv 197 partial restoration

You will get all the help you need from the guys on the forum. We LOVE pics to get your camera warmed up and show us what yer doin. You might luck out and come up with dry shavings. Stranger things have happened.

Good Luck

I'm just sayin...

 

[jdmackes]

Re: 84 searay srv 197 partial restoration

Finally found where I put my camera, so here's some pics:

I've taken out the seats and ripped up the carpet and parts of the floor, I'll take some more pictures tomorrow

 

[jdmackes]

Re: 84 searay srv 197 partial restoration

Got the new battery in and check to see if the motor would turn over at all. Nothing. All I get is a click, so I don't know if the starter is shot, or if the whole motor is seized. I'm finding that I'm too afraid to just dig in and cut away the floor because I'm going to cut though something that I'm not supposed to. The only thing I could really his is the stringers right? I'm not doing anything wrong by cutting through the fiberglass on the bottom of the deck?
Here is the ice box and ski storage areas, most all the floor is rotted out around them and where the front chairs were bolted

Here is the gas tank

The engine seems to have a good amount of rust on it, I wish I could pull it and really clean it but I don't have the means to do that

Most everyone seemed to say see if you can move the pulleys, I couldn't budge them but I was just trying to rotate them with my hands. I also read that I should remove them, clean them up and recoat them, but I don't know how to remove them...

You can see the rust on the engine, and there's corrosion on whatever that is above the dipstick

I'm sorry I'm so stupid with all of this stuff, I'm starting to think I may have bitten off more then I could chew...

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 84 searay srv 197 partial restoration

How much do you want to Chew?? You need to find someone knowledgeable about marine motors. They can be EXPENSIVE and if yours is NOT repairable then you might want to cut your losses and find another project. If it IS repairable at a reasonable cost, I am sure the guys here on the forum can help you with the rest of the repairs required on the boat. It is a nice looking rig.

Check this guys thread. Very similar to your boat and your project. You will learn a lot.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=358277

Keep your head up. It can all be done, IF you DECIDE to do it. Mechanical MUST be checked FIRST and FORMOST.

I'm just sayin...

 

[jdmackes]

Re: 84 searay srv 197 partial restoration

I've opened up a thread on the engine repair section since everything is on hold until I can see if the engine is worth saving. If anyone has any ideas it's at http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?p=2844535#post2844535 and I would appreciate the help!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 84 searay srv 197 partial restoration

Agree. You've got a really nice looking hull on a nice galvanized trailer. You'd also got a GREAT powerplant if it's in good shape. I'd have that thoroughly checked out and if it can be gotten running, dive in and fix that boat. It will be well worth it.

 

[wkcstra]

Re: 84 searay srv 197 partial restoration

I have the same boat that has been redecked (by previous owner). The problem that i have is that the fuel sending unit has gone out and needs to be replaced. However the fuel tank access has now been covered and i have no idea on the location of the unit. If you will help me can you measure from the back of the deck (front of engine compartment) to the center of the fuel sending unit and post that measurement. This will keep me from drilling a bunch of hole in the deck. Which i don't want to do.
Thanks.

 

[jdmackes]

Re: 84 searay srv 197 partial restoration

I don't have the boat right now as it is at the mechanic, but as soon as I get it back I'll let you know. You might be able to estimate from the pictures too, if your deck is layed out the same way. Just measure a couple of inches back from the ice box, and then go straight back to the engine. Right in the middle should be the unit.

 

[wkcstra]

Re: 84 searay srv 197 partial restoration

I would however the ice box was covered also. So i have no way to measure from there. I thank you for your help.
Wayne Stratton:redface: