'85 Capri 19' Bowrider - rot check?

[turbojimmy]

Hi all,

I'm new to boats and was looking for something more or less disposable to learn on for the rest of this season and probably part of next season. I came across an '85 Capri 19' Bowrider in my neck of the woods that I think I can snag for around $600 with the trailer. It has a 305 in it that I'm told runs decent, but the ball gears in the outdrive are stripped. The owner says it's fine otherwise and he was using it when it broke down a few weeks ago. He's since replaced it with a new boat and is anxious to get rid of this one.

I do all of my own mechanical work, including engine replacements, rebuilding, electrical, etc. on my cars and motorcycles. While I've never worked on a boat before, I'm confident (okay, maybe less confident and more hopeful) that I can figure out the ball gear thing. Looks like maybe $300 in parts?

In the pics, the interior of the boat looks like it was well maintained. No rips or tears. The owner stored it out of the water on the trailer.

My main concern is rot. I don't want to have to restore the thing, I just want to make some mechanical repairs and get a season or so out of it. How can I check for transom rot? I assume floor rot is easy to spot by pulling the carpet back.

Thanks,
Jim

 

[86IROC]

Re: '85 Capri 19' Bowrider - rot check?

The only sure way to check for transom rot is to drill test holes in it and see what the wood looks like that comes out.
As for the floor..I'd do a good walk around of the entire deck and see if there are any spongy or soft spots.
Take a very good look at the stringers where the engine mounts are too.
My 89 Capri had 1 soft spot in the floor in front of the center seat. Every bulk head was rotten and the foam was saturated with water.
I would say in my unprofessional opinion..with a boat that age, you are going to find some rot.

 

[KCeagle]

Re: '85 Capri 19' Bowrider - rot check?

having bought a 17 capri in april i can attest to the 'youre going to find some rot' idea. i did although, if youre handy w/ a skil saw and a drill, you can handle it. drilling the stingers is a good idea but be careful when checking/cutting/drilling the center floor/deck, it is directly covering the fuel tank, at least on my 17'.

if you know a home inspector or restoration contractor, borrow his moisture meter and poke around some.

you'll love this, the genius i bought it from, or the previous guy, decided to install an aftermarket wakeboard pole/tower and drilled the floor for the mounting plate - yep, right throught he plywood floor AND the fuel tank! God knows why he didnt blow up