87' Bayliner capri cuddy soft deck

lowvlot

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 5, 2009
Messages
231
Hello all,
I am new here and have spent some time reading older posts on deck replacement. I have yet to see one on a boat similar to mine with an outboard. When I bought this boat 2 years ago it had a big hole around where the bilge hatch is. I took some plywood, mat and resin and did a repair. seems to be holding pretty good. i have recently found another soft spot in the deck and would like to replace it. I have read the horror stories of finding rotten stringers and all so if that is the case we will tackel that when and if we get there. from what i am reading and concluding The only way to get the deck out is to cut it out. Is this correct? Also have to cut out the seat mounts? From what i can tell upon initial inspection is that the actuall deck is smaller than the inside of the boat. I mean the deck only goes from the two jump seats in back to the cabin in front and from about half way under the stern and port side seats. Is this correct? I am certain there is no problem in the cabin all the cushions are removeable and the whole thing is dry and fiberglassed with a thin dusting of what i believe is gelcoat or white paint. Do all these boats have foam? Oh i should mention it is only 17' long. I dont see any foam in the cabin not sure were it would be. do you need foam in it? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
 

lowvlot

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 5, 2009
Messages
231
Re: 87' Bayliner capri cuddy soft deck

Okay after days of research i have found a few posts on deck restoration on similar boats as mine. with outboard motors. I think after this boating season i will tackel the project.
 

Aunugget

Cadet
Joined
Aug 12, 2009
Messages
13
Re: 87' Bayliner capri cuddy soft deck

We have a little 16 footer with an outboard. We had it a year and developed a leak. Unfortunately we had to replace the entire keel, deck and all the foam. The "great" deal we got was not such a "great" deal. I'm still reading through all the posts on Iboats. This is a great site to find information and speak with people who have done it before. Learn from their mistakes and all. Love the search function!

Best of luck!
 

lowvlot

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 5, 2009
Messages
231
Re: 87' Bayliner capri cuddy soft deck

I am still reading posts as well. I am about to get my feet wet so to speak on this project and consider myself quite handy but am afraid of the removal. Dont want to cut through the hull. any suggestions?
 

Aunugget

Cadet
Joined
Aug 12, 2009
Messages
13
Re: 87' Bayliner capri cuddy soft deck

If you are removing the deck, I would recommend setting your saw blade depth at 3/4 of an inch and only cut a small section of the deck so you can look inside to see where everything is located. The idea is if the deck is 3/4 inch then you will barely cut through it and if the deck is 1/2 inch then you might nick something by a 1/4 inch.

Considering the age of your boat, have you spoken or sent an email to Bayliner Co to see if they have or can supply you with a owners manual. They should be able to tell you where the flotation foam, etc. is located.

It is difficult when you first start because of the "unknown" can be nerve racking.
 

lowvlot

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 5, 2009
Messages
231
Re: 87' Bayliner capri cuddy soft deck

Very good idea. I will try it. thank-you for the heads up.
 

Solittle

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Apr 28, 2002
Messages
7,518
Re: 87' Bayliner capri cuddy soft deck

Use the Search function as there are loads of posts on Bayliners of that period with wood rot.
 
Top