Clean removal of this mariners side grab rails?

[DougyB]

Hey guys, I have been on a constant conquest to get my hands on a 18 foot mariner cc, but this is the only one I have found so far. Originally, I wanted nothing to do with it. It has been slipped in saltwater and has bottom paint on it, two things that scare me with aluminum boats ( how many people don't know about copper paint and aluminum) However, my search gets less and less hopeful every day I search the for sale ads. I might try to low-ball the guy and pray that theres no or little corrosion on the inside of the boat( i know there has to be water under the floor, owner said needs tlc which usually means crap floor)
My other problem is these awfully ugly metal side rails that start from the middle of the boat up to the bow. I want this boat to fish, and do not need these stupid things on my boat... they look like their intensions are to keep a drunk person from taking a swim, and I don't drink while fishing. Problem is, can I remove these rails without having four big holes going up each side of my gunnel? That would be very unattractive to say the least. I wanted an 88 mariner in the worst way just becaue their grab rails were only 4-6 feet long and two inches off the gunnel, straight across. Any solutions to this situation??

http://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/boa/2907351300.html

 

[ShowMeGuy]

Re: Clean removal of this mariners side grab rails?

From what I'm seeing I'm thinking you might be getting a bit to critical over a $900 buck boat.... Looks like a great buy to me if the 'rude runs well. The motor itself is prolly worth 2x the price of that boat by itself from what I see locally.....
Trailer looks awfully short for the boat though..... hard to tell in the pics.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Clean removal of this mariners side grab rails?

http://madison.craigslist.org/boa/2910602006.html


The rails do not go through the gunnel.
Only the 3 ? small screw holes that anchor each base.


That boat seems awfully cheap. Whats wrong with it?

 

[DougyB]

Re: Clean removal of this mariners side grab rails?

It needs " tlc" and a steering cable... all fine long as the hull is good and the motor has equal good compression

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Clean removal of this mariners side grab rails?

That boat looks great to me! Seems like a great deal too

Since it's been in salt I'd be concerned with corrosion on the hull. Inside and outside. Take a good look to be sure. Inside will be tough as I'm betting there is pour in foam under that deck and you won't be able to see a thing.

Have fun!

 

[barato2]

Re: Clean removal of this mariners side grab rails?

maybe put a rod holder or teak step pad each place there used to be a rail base? and post the rails on the "Starcraft parts" thread if they're not too horribly corroded....i may need some for my Holiday as i fish solo AND drink beer

 

[ki4gbn]

Re: Clean removal of this mariners side grab rails?

I have a 1989 Mariner 160 with same rail.....comes off easy the 3 screw holes at each mounting location are barley noticable. Rod holder mounts at those locations would cover them well. If the Hull is good it seems to be a good price. the floor in these are not that bad to replace. Mine has been in the family for 20+ years and the floor has been done once. Good luck with your decision.

 

[ShowMeGuy]

Re: Clean removal of this mariners side grab rails?

maybe put a rod holder or teak step pad each place there used to be a rail base? and post the rails on the "Starcraft parts" thread if they're not too horribly corroded....i may need some for my Holiday as i fish solo AND drink beer

And drink BEER!!! dude.... you're invited on my boat anytime you come over to the midwest...

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: Clean removal of this mariners side grab rails?

My 22 Holiday has been in and out of a lot of Salt Water for the past 6 years. Taken care of hasent hut it a bit 1975 and still has origional floor with org. vinyl and org. transom ;, You just have to keep the water out of the boat I can't believe the horrible care some of these boats seem to have had.

 

[DougyB]

Re: Clean removal of this mariners side grab rails?

Jas, a bit off topic but I know you used playground sand for a grit mix on one of your floors... well I have quartz(spelling) which is much stronger than sand, and it is color mixed to any kind of patter you want.. some combos could really knock your socks off.. and when used with a uv stable clear coat of resin over top, forms a super strong, vibrant floor... let me know if you'd want me to send you a bucket or two, I get it for free from the shop, its left over from doing epoxy floors

 

[DougyB]

Re: Clean removal of this mariners side grab rails?

My 22 Holiday has been in and out of a lot of Salt Water for the past 6 years. Taken care of hasent hut it a bit 1975 and still has origional floor with org. vinyl and org. transom ;, You just have to keep the water out of the boat I can't believe the horrible care some of these boats seem to have had.

Puget, you are dead on the head, its amazing sometimes. On the mariner models, as Jas has said, starcraft really did the buyer in with that foam though...you almost cant blame the owners for not worrying about a small little leak... meanwhile a lot of that water is getting trapped in the shi* foam starcraft poured, and what people dont know is their aluminum is now in contact with trapped salt thats not evaporating, so its a two party problem in this case. Galvanic corrosion is taken too lightly by people buying these boats.

maybe put a rod holder or teak step pad each place there used to be a rail base? and post the rails on the "Starcraft parts" thread if they're not too horribly corroded....i may need some for my Holiday as i fish solo AND drink beer

Barato, if you really want it its all yours bud, I dont wanna see and buzzed happy guy getting pissed off because he cant swim fast enough to catch his boat floating away

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Clean removal of this mariners side grab rails?

Thanks for the offer man! Shoot up some photos of what you are working with so we can check it out. I won't need any decking material till the next project, who knows when that will happen.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Clean removal of this mariners side grab rails?

I'd probably gamble on it based on the fact that the motor is worth the asking price by itself. However, I share your concern about corrosion. Looking at that hull, all I can picture is the similar Mariner hull I found that North Beach bought which turned out to be the worst corroded SC we've yet seen.

 

[DougyB]

Re: Clean removal of this mariners side grab rails?

Idk if I could get 900 for the motor, but I could probably get 900 between selling the motor, a few parts, and scrap if the hull is absolutely trashed... I am going to look at it this weekend after I catch my limit of trout

 

[jbing81]

Re: Clean removal of this mariners side grab rails?

For the price, Id buy it. If it turns out to be a poor hull you could part it out and still be up $300-500!

 

[DougyB]

Re: Clean removal of this mariners side grab rails?

well guys, I finally got to see it yesterday... North Beaches Center console would look brand new compared to this one. From the start of the bottom paint all the way down, length to length, was all corroded... im not talking a little, rivets eaten in half and about 5-10 mils deep worth of corrosion EVERYWHERE!!!

Saltwater and slipping aluminum = bad.... saltwater and slipping aluminum with copper based bottom paint= tradgedy

On to Andyskys 22 footer, I pray its not like this one