Looking for Experience/Advice: 1978 Imperial V-173

[ChrisO26]

Hey guys, I posted in the general forum, but have a specific hull/floor question.

I just picked up a 1978 Imperial V-173 w/ a Evinrude 85hp V-4. The boat needs serious interior work and since I'm new and found something I wasn't suspecting, figured I'd post here.

I just started pulling up the old, very worn carpet to take a look at the floor underneath. As I pulled the carpet back, it has a white vinyl layer underneath that I don't believe is factory. The vinyl has "Pro-Seal" embossed into it. I tried to look underneath where possible (just in front of the bilge), and it looks to be fiberglass underneath. Everywhere I've checked, the floor is solid with no soft spots that I've found.

Is that common for this year of boat? I was thinking it's be plywood or something under the carpet, but again, I haven't been able to look anywhere other than at the back.

Anyone have any idea what would be under the fiberglass? I don't want to go cutting holes in the floor to inspect underneath of it if I don't have to.

 

[tpenfield]

I would expect to find fiberglass covered plywood as the floor of the boat. maybe take a look at any exposed edges to see if you can get a better look. Also open any/all hatches to inspect the structure below.

Read the 'stickie' about posting picture and post a few of the structure that you can see below the floor, etc.

 

[ChrisO26]

I would expect to find fiberglass covered plywood as the floor of the boat. maybe take a look at any exposed edges to see if you can get a better look. Also open any/all hatches to inspect the structure below.

Read the 'stickie' about posting picture and post a few of the structure that you can see below the floor, etc.

Thanks for your reply. I'll post pictures tomorrow if I get a chance. Unfortunately there's no hatches that can be opened to inspect below. I hope this weekend to get the seats and carpet torn out and the motor dismounted so I'll have a better idea what I'm working with. Someone has DEFINITELY worked on this boat before but just not sure how deep then went or how they did it.

I'm thinking before I get too far into it, I'm going to take it to a marina and put it in the water for a little bit just to make sure no water is coming in anywhere and it sits level and where it should. I'm starting to lean towards parting it out though as I suspect the substructure is probably water logged (steady drip of water coming out of the drain hole for 36 hours now). That coupled with the bad condition of the upholstery, carpet, wiring, gel coat on the cap, seized steering cable are starting to make me think it just isn't worth it.