Is it worth replacing my floor? Or is the hull trash?

[SS194]

Hey guys, here's the quick story.

We have a place around here that's kinda like a boat junk yard. I purchased a 1976 slickcraft 17' ski boat closed bow with a brand new 302 merc and a decent trailer.

I love the boat and with all that power in such a light boat, it makes it a 50 + MPH boat.

Anyway, the floor has some rot in the rear forward of the cut out for the engine (I/O) One of the beams (whatever support that run left to right) is completely gone in the center. Someone has reinforced at area with a couple of 2x4's. It seems to be working, for now.

Now also, the center of the floor between the seats has a ski storage. The floor on the left is at an angle, so it doesn't quite meet the floor on the left (if that makes sense). I'll post a pic so you can see what I mean. The floor still feels solid, it's just not lined up, and I'm not sure when that changed. You can see it by looking at the top of the passenger side seat. It's at an angle. That's because of the floor.

I know replacing a floor is a huge deal if I did it myself, or really expensive if I have someone else do it. The exterior is in very good shape with no spider cracks. The transform is solid.

Should I just keep running the boat until it gets worse? Or over the winter actually try to replace the floor myself? Or, trash the hull?

Thanks guys, here are a couple of pics.
Steve

 

[57whitehouse]

Re: Is it worth replacing my floor? Or is the hull trash?

If you really like the boat, keep it. The floor will be work, but if your handy it shouldn't be too bad. As far as the motor support, i'm not sure what is involved with that.

Taking the motor out and putting it in another boat will probably be as much or more work than fixing the one you have.

After you buff it up a little, it'l be a nice boat.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Is it worth replacing my floor? Or is the hull trash?

Certainly looks like it'd be worth the effort to me! Nice boat.

 

[mtnrat]

Re: Is it worth replacing my floor? Or is the hull trash?

Whoa. IMO that is a great old boat. If you want to see what is involved in fixing a boat like that look at all the threads I started. I just finished restoring a similar boat. If it is just the floor, it is not difficult at all. If the stringers and transom need replacing it just takes time. The most important thing to measure well before ripping stuff out is the engine mount area.
Quite Similar

 

[SS194]

Re: Is it worth replacing my floor? Or is the hull trash?

Nice boat! Looks very similar.

Thanks for the comments guys, I really do love this boat and would hate to trash it.

The stringers do need to be replaced...most of them are rotten.

Well, looks like I've got a winter project!

 

[mtnrat]

Re: Is it worth replacing my floor? Or is the hull trash?

I am going to be posting a full account of my restoration in september along with what each leg of the project cost. I took many many pictures. That should give you a good idea of what you are up against. If you have any carpentry skills at all it is not too difficult. A covered place to work really helps.