'86 Chris Craft 210 with Alpha one rot repair?

[Fiat4Fun]

So, I finally took my boat to a shop to check it for rot, since I have been getting water into the bilge over the last few years. Replaced all the bellows, trim wire seals and everything I could get to without pulling the motor. Our local shops did not seem to want to pull the motor and see what's happening. Last week I dropped the boat off to a shop about three hours away and within two days, they called and said they went around with a hammer and found rot on the transom and lower engine motor mount stringer. Not surprised with this old of a boat,
I was surprised that they said they would not recommend using it with this kind of damage? They wanted to know if they should have their fiberglass guy give an estimate of the repair, but warned me that it would not be cheap, and if I am sure I want to keep the boat?
I guess my question is, is it worth fixing? He did say it was not uncommon with these older boats to have rot, and they have seen it many times. I love the boat, and it would be tough to replace, since most old boats will come with various issues, and new boats are expensive. Any advice on if old boats are worth fixing? I able to maintain the boat, but I think fiberglassing and removing the motor might be tough for me,...... Might of been willing to do it 20 years ago, but think I should pay an expert to do it right....... thoughts?

 

[Scott Danforth]

they are right. just like you would not try to run a marathon without a spine or skeleton, you should not boat with rotten stringers and transom. that is a sunken boat and possibly death situation

any boat older than 15 years will have issues. 95% of the fiberglass boats from the 80's and 90's are poorly built boats with rot unless they were restored. your Chris Craft is from the OMC owned years just like bayliner

you can do it. it will typically cost you about $3500 just to restore the hull (if you do it yourself) and about 150 hours of your time.

if you pay someone, remember, you are paying someone to do it, you have to pay their time at shop rate as well as their mark-up on materials.

if you decide to do the job yourself, pulling the drive, then motor is easy
grinding the fiberglass is the dirty part

all the information you need is in this sticky at the top of the forum. https://forums.iboats.com/threads/how-tos-and-other-great-information.283508/

see links 14, 15, 18, 2, 3, 4a, and 4b in that order.

only you can answer if the sentimental attachment to the boat is worth it.

 

[Fiat4Fun]

Thanks for note, will check all the links out. It's a tough one, the boat has been in the family for a long time. I have pulled the drive, no issues there. But really don't have the space to pull the motor or do the fiberglass. I guess I am going to have to "pay" to get it done. Looked at a couple of other boats, and most "may" have similar issues......
I guess the question is, if I get it repaired, will it be as good as new or is this going to be a ongoing issue?
Any other advice is greatly appreciated
Thanks

 

[briangcc]

IF, mighty big IF, the shop is worth it's salt and actually gives a darn about its reputation (and doesn't instead try to get it out the door as quick as possible) then it should be better than new. I'd request they do some more exploring to confirm that's where the rot is contained to...it probably goes deeper than what they initially found. Look through the resto section here to see what started as "just a soft spot on the floor".

I'd be sitting when they call with the quote.

In otherwords...I'd be looking for references for their work before plopping down $$$$($).

As for an ongoing issue - as long as its well taken care of, covered when not in use, no sitting water, etc, - repair should last a good long time.

 

[Fiat4Fun]

Ok, a quick update.
Got a price on doing the fiberglassing and work to have the motor, outdrive plate and everything removed and installed. The repair shop said the same thing, all fiberglass boats from this era are prone to issues. This year Chris Craft is from the "Murray" years before OMC took over. But, they are not surprised by the issues. They have seen it before.
My gut tells me to fix it, since we know what we have in this boat. We spent a few hours looking at other boats, and we had a bunch of head scratching. Lot's of questions, and most of the answers involved dollars in repairs.
My girlfriend is wondering what would happen if we keep using it as it is, even with a bit of water coming in. The repair place says it's not safe to use. I am assuming the issue will continue to get worse.....( and more expensive). plus I am not to interested in operating an unsafe boat.......
Wish I was younger and had the time to do the work myself, so will need to move forward if we want to get it fixed right.

 

[briangcc]

If the transom is gone, likely are the stringers. Which I why I mentioned the marina should do some more digging as the stringers are the spine/backbone of the boat. Hit a wave wrong, and you could be visiting Davey Jone's Locker if you get my drift.

Continuing to use the boat as is poses a danger to you, your passengers and your fellow boaters around you.

Get it fixed correctly or offload it as a project boat to someone who will do the repairs.

 

[Fiat4Fun]

Looks like they are talking about the rear transom, engine mount stringers and front of engine bulkhead. They also thought the swim platform should be looked at. No sign of any damage to the stringers forward of the motor.
Not sure how they would know unless they pull up the floor........

 

[tpenfield]

Typically, the 'damage' ( both moisture saturation and rot) go further than initially thought. The shop (or you) won't really know the extent of the damage until the 'demolition' phase is done. So, whatever quote/estimate you get, be prepared to have the actual cost be higher.

Also, selection of a good fiberglass shop is critical if you want to boat to last a long time. I have seen some work done by 'professionals' that did not look all that good.

Many (if not most) folks who undertake these types of repairs do so for 2 primary reasons . . . cost and quality. They feel that they will do the work with more care, given that the boat is their own.

The restoration (by a shop) will probably cost 2-3 X what the boat is worth. If it is a matter of keeping something that has meaningful memories, then it may all be worth it.

 

[Scott Danforth]

My girlfriend is wondering what would happen if we keep using it as it is, even with a bit of water coming in. The repair place says it's not safe to use. I am assuming the issue will continue to get worse.....

my first experience with a rotten fiberglass boat sinking. Up camping on the menomonee river north of Chalk Hills dam about 1978 or 1979 with my dad and brother. we are in dad's 14' mirrocraft. the boat we are following is a an older fiberglass boat belonging to my dad's friend Donny. Donny was joking about his boat having a crack in the transom and said it never let him down. Donnys boat hits a wave, the transom buckles and the motor comes off the boat and the boat sinks by the time we get there. we were 75 feet behind him. he managed to grab a PFD and one rod. after we got all 350# of Donny in the boat, we went after the floating bits. the motor and boat ultimately were pulled from the intake grate at the dam a mile down stream.

second experience with a rotten fiberglass boat sinking. About 1994 salmon fishing off of Algoma Wisconsin, one morning, My bud Bobby at the wheel, me running out line. Bobby yells that a boat is going down and hits the throttle. I turn around and see a 27 foot express cruiser with its nose in the air. We get there with two other boats to help the owner and two other people out of the water. We called in a mayday and waited for the coast guard. we were in 90 feet of water. turns out the guy new his transom needed help. thought his pumps would take care of it. Not only was the guy fined, he had to get the boat out which meant paying the local salvage and dive team.

My personal experience is if water is coming in, the boat is past the point of use.

I wouldnt take the chance.

you can google boat sinking videos

 

[Dubed]

My 86 Chris Craft Scorpion 211

 

[Dubed]

Most of the rot was surrounding the foamed in fuel tank. (who ever thought that was a good idea?) It was a lot of work repairing, would not be in a hurry to do it again. Transom was solid and boat had no leaks, so you would have much more work to do.