May have just 'inherited' a deckboat...

[KDMatt]

... the question is, am I inheriting a headache?

Greetings folks, potential new boat owner here (but far from a new operator.)

Recently, my grandfather mentioned offhandedly to me that he hasn't given our boat much thought lately, and that if I wanted to fix it (or rather, spend the money to get it fixed) that I could just have it. The Johnson outboard blew in 2010, and it's been sitting ever since. It's an old Deckboat Ski-Deck from about 1988, and he's the original owner.

I talked to the guy that's been storing it, and to my amazement, according to him, he's kept it covered up, and stored predominantly inside of a barn. All the same, I have concerns about the condition of the wood inside, as this boat has had issues with wood rot in the past (it led to replacement of a sizable part of the flooring if I remember right.) However, if it is still in about the same condition it was when I last saw it three years ago, the hull should be in decent shape (in need of some buffing, obviously) and the leather(ish?) interior should be pretty fresh.

I know for a fact the wiring is an absolute mess, and, obviously, it's going to need a new motor. The wiring, however, I'm confident I can tackle myself, given that I've done a lot of automotive stuff and I've got a pretty good head about electrical circuits.

I've checked over the stickies for prospective boat buyers, but I now want to hear from active enthusiasts and experts.

Does this sound like a worthwhile investment? Other than checking for the obvious "squishiness" of the floors, how can I tell if the wood is on its way out? Are there any specific tools I should have to give it a thorough once over?

I've got some time to spend, available heated indoor storage for winter months, a vehicle I could tow with, and some cash to spare, but I don't want to go nuts. My judgement is a tad bit clouded as well, as this is something of a family heirloom, and there is quite a bit of nostalgia attached to it. The guy who's been storing it is also (understandably) eager to get it off of his property after 3 years.

I want to try to get a clear head about this, which is where I'm hoping you guys can chime in and make sure I'm on a straight path about this and proceeding logically and thoughtfully. Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer an eager youngster like me.

... I apologize if this is a long post, there's a long history with this rig! :sleeping:

 

[gstrom11]

Re: May have just 'inherited' a deckboat...

I'd suggest going to take a very thorough look at it and come back and post pics of anything that sticks out to you. Plenty of people around here to help. Being that it is in the family kind of thing I would be interested in restoring it too if I were in your shoes. Good luck!

 

[BonairII]

Re: May have just 'inherited' a deckboat...

Def post pics. Check for floor rot/water damage...esp the transom.

 

[AChotrod]

Re: May have just 'inherited' a deckboat...

Might be able to fix the motor instead of buying a newer one as well.

 

[tomdinwv]

Re: May have just 'inherited' a deckboat...

Before sinking a dime in it, be sure to get the title. Hate to see you spend a bunch of money then another family member swoop in and snatch it out from under you. Not saying anyone in your family would do that, but it happens.

 

[airshot]

Re: May have just 'inherited' a deckboat...

Sometimes the most expensive boats on the water are the free ones. Yes do your homework before you start spending or your spending will become continuous with no end in sight.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: May have just 'inherited' a deckboat...

All the same, I have concerns about the condition of the wood inside, as this boat has had issues with wood rot in the past (it led to replacement of a sizable part of the flooring if I remember right.)

Other than checking for the obvious "squishiness" of the floors, how can I tell if the wood is on its way out? Are there any specific tools I should have to give it a thorough once over?

That part is concerning... Boats rot from the bottom up. If the floor needed to be replaced, there is a high likelyhood that the stringers and possibly transom are rotten also, and just overlooked. The floor is generally the LAST piece of wood to go, as it is exposed to the air and can dry out.

Is the motor still on it? If so, you can check in the motor mount bolt holes. Other alternative is stick your head inside the rear compartment from the inside with a bright flashlight and look around. Often you will see bits of rotted wood. Last, you could drill a tiny hole in the transom and check the condition of the wood that comes out on the bit. (and of course, seal it back up.)

 

[southkogs]

Re: May have just 'inherited' a deckboat...

Funny story: I inherited a family boat years ago that had sat unused for about 10 years. My brother and I had skied many many hours behind the boat and so it had some significant sentimental value. I needed to replace the outboard at one point, and my dad (after I'd been running it for a couple of years) mentions to me that he had concerns about a cracked transom - thanks for tellin' me now, pop!

So I mozy the ole' gal on up to the local boat doctor - good guy, especially with hulls - and ask his opinion. He looks around for a while, taps here, taps there, pushes and pulls a bit, and finally says, "well I wouldn't worry about a cracked transom."

"Great!" I said, "What about the wood, ya' think it's starting to rot?"

He looks at me with a twinkle in his eye and says, "No sonny. No worries about rotting wood in there. I don't think there's a shred of wood left in that transom."

I had to let it go. Didn't wanna', but it was the best thing to put that boat away and get something else (look at the boat in my signature and you'll see how much of an education I've gotten in the last few years). Weigh your cost benefits carefully. Boat are not, and will never be, investments.

Be realistic as you move along and make sure you know what you want to be doing: restoring or boating.

Welcome aboard.

 

[kevinwburke]

Re: May have just 'inherited' a deckboat...

Great story.......

Funny story: I inherited a family boat years ago that had sat unused for about 10 years. My brother and I had skied many many hours behind the boat and so it had some significant sentimental value. I needed to replace the outboard at one point, and my dad (after I'd been running it for a couple of years) mentions to me that he had concerns about a cracked transom - thanks for tellin' me now, pop!

So I mozy the ole' gal on up to the local boat doctor - good guy, especially with hulls - and ask his opinion. He looks around for a while, taps here, taps there, pushes and pulls a bit, and finally says, "well I wouldn't worry about a cracked transom."

"Great!" I said, "What about the wood, ya' think it's starting to rot?"

He looks at me with a twinkle in his eye and says, "No sonny. No worries about rotting wood in there. I don't think there's a shred of wood left in that transom."

I had to let it go. Didn't wanna', but it was the best thing to put that boat away and get something else (look at the boat in my signature and you'll see how much of an education I've gotten in the last few years). Weigh your cost benefits carefully. Boat are not, and will never be, investments.

Be realistic as you move along and make sure you know what you want to be doing: restoring or boating.

Welcome aboard.

 

[KDMatt]

Re: May have just 'inherited' a deckboat...

Ahhh, thank you for the replies so far everyone. These are exactly the sort of cautionary tales I was hoping to elicit!

@gstrom, @Bonairll -- Rest assured that there will be plenty of pictures taken when I finally go look at it again. We're in a rain-spell here, so I told "the guy" to hold off on pulling it out just yet. I figure rain will only compound my investigation. Hell, this is the era of the smartphone after all, I could even take some video too.

@ACHotrod - That was a possibility that was initially investigated, but "the guy" has convinced us against doing this. The original motor is an old Johnson GT 150 with the "notorious" VRO system that was allegedly heavily prone to failure. He doesn't have a lot of faith in late 80's OMC stuff and I suppose now, by proxy, I don't either... and to be fair, that motor was always problematic for us even when it was running. While gutting the VRO and pre-mixing would be an option if we rebuilt it I suppose, a newer, rebuilt outboard seems to be the way to go from where I'm sitting.

@tomdinwv - Good advice! I didn't think of that. Thanks!

@airshot - Hahaha, noted!

@smokingcrater - Aye, that's what I've heard as well. The rub though, really, is that the boat spent a couple of seasons outdoors, uncovered (at least from what I can remember) ... My uncle was never very fastidious about keeping the boat in good repair, and was arguably pretty neglectful for the last couple of years the machine was in his care (this was before the floor repair, mind you.) Ultimately, I believe this resulted in accumulations of snow and ice on the floors, as well as exposure to rain, which is presumably why the floors rotted out. The transom is a somewhat unknown story. The upshot is that, from what I can remember, we never really had issues with the boat taking on water when left sitting in the lake for a few days, so I can only assume that all of the things mounted to the transom were filled and sealed properly (i.e. speedo, depth-finder, ski-ladder, motor mounts, etc. etc.) As of right now, I don't know if the motor is still on it or not -- I know "the guy" started pulling apart the powerhead, but I have no idea if any of it is still mounted. Having something on there to push on and flex would certainly make this assessment a lot easier!

I'm going to assume that when you talk about drilling into the transom, you mean on the backside/inside? Drilling to the fiberglass seems like a recipe for disaster!

@southkogs - ... an interesting story to say the least, one I hope I do not end up inadvertently repeating!
I use the word 'investment' pretty liberally, as I do not necessarily mean a monetary one. To me, a pleasure vehicle like a speedboat represents an 'investment' because the time and effort put into it hopefully yield years of fun and enjoyment, not dollar signs. For example, I've got an old Datsun 280z that I've been working on and putting money into since I got it as a teenager, and that car is never going to be worth a fortune, regardless of how much time, effort or money I spend on it. I've never thought of that as a raw deal though, since the experience of driving that car is so special and enjoyable for me, the hours of work and money spent on new parts have always felt worthwhile, so there is definitely a line that can be toed with things like this for me.

As far as actual money goes, I know that these things, when in decent shape and in running condition, typically tend to sell for between 5 and 7 grand. Ideally, I'd like to get it into that kind of condition so that if I do end up deciding I "want out" in the future, I can at least stand a chance at breaking even.



I'll probably end up checking out the boat on Friday, when the rain is supposed to let up. I'll snap pics, maybe grab some video clips and report back.

Thanks again for the replies so far you guys, and thanks for the welcome. :happy:

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: May have just 'inherited' a deckboat...

From outside the box..... The motor is junk..... The hull is most likely junk..... Rotten floor replaced leaves the rotten stringers in place.

Honestly all you are getting is a trailer.....

If you shop around you can buy a complete ready to use boat, motor, and trailer for the cost of just a "newer rebuilt motor"

Tell gramps thanks but get a different first boat with FAR less headaches...

 

[southkogs]

Re: May have just 'inherited' a deckboat...

BTW - I'd play with it some: we're all guessing at what kinda' shape it's in. Go for it. Just be realistic about how deep you go.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: May have just 'inherited' a deckboat...

As far as actual money goes, I know that these things, when in decent shape and in running condition, typically tend to sell for between 5 and 7 grand. Ideally, I'd like to get it into that kind of condition so that if I do end up deciding I "want out" in the future, I can at least stand a chance at breaking even.

Being left out in the weather will rot out the transom and stringers just as quick as the floor... ESPECIALLY if it wasn't stored perfectly. (nose high up in the air, plug always out.) Not to mention, a year or two outside, uncovered, is enough to pretty much trash the interior of a bowrider.


$5 to 7 is HIGHLY optimistic for that boat. Maybe with a relatively new fuel injected 4 stroke outboard on the back. Put a 2 stroke outboard of similar year to the boat on it, and you are in the $2000 to $3000 range, depending on time of year.

I'm with smokeonthewater here... Step back from an unbiased view and you might have a much, much larger project than you think, and you will absolutely never break even on it. You will be lucky to get half your money out of it.

If you want it as a project, that is a perfect goal, but if you want to spend your time boating instead of swearing at bleeding from fiberglass needles for the 100th time, it might not be the best choice.

Pics though, that will help!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: May have just 'inherited' a deckboat...

"As far as actual money goes, I know that these things, when in decent shape and in running condition, typically tend to sell for between 5 and 7 grand. Ideally, I'd like to get it into that kind of condition so that if I do end up deciding I "want out" in the future, I can at least stand a chance at breaking even. "


Not likely on both counts. it's a 1988 boat now and still will be after you fix it up. No one makes money on boat projects like that.

Price out replacing the motor and controls, and set that amount aside.

Old boats that don't rot (whaler-type, pontoon, tinnie) are worth taking a chance on--not this one. A boat that has never shown rot and you know was stored correctly all its life may be worth a chance--not this one. A boat with a newer and well-running motor may be worth taking a chance on--not this one. A classic hull may be worth it--not this one.

You are letting your emotions talk you into a deal that you know is not a good one. The advice here is objective; none of us have an emotional attachment to that boat nor is it the type known as a "barn queen" that would get us interested. Pass.

 

[KDMatt]

Re: May have just 'inherited' a deckboat...

Trust me, guys; I'm hearing all of you.

I know, with absolute certainty, that I'm wearing rose-tinted glasses here. I've got a nostalgic and sentimental attachment to the thing, and I know that I'm not being remotely objective yet. The healthy amount of skepticism and stories of doom and gloom are helpful.

Wise folks like all of you have talked me out of bad deals in the past, and I'm always thankful for it in the end.

It sounds like the next step is for me to get out there and take a bunch of pictures so that the filter of my memory is removed, and the craft can be judged objectively by the experts. I've lived without the thing for almost 4 years, and I'd have little trouble letting it go and doing as smokeonthewater suggests and saying "sorry gramps."

I just want to make sure I've weighed both pros and cons with a team of experts (i.e. you guys) so that I don't lose sleep at night wondering if I made the "right" decision.

I guess in a couple of days we'll see what's what.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: May have just 'inherited' a deckboat...

Fwiw of the 25 or so 25 year old deck boats I have been close to, ALL were rotten.

 

[southkogs]

Re: May have just 'inherited' a deckboat...

... I've got a nostalgic and sentimental attachment to the thing, and I know that I'm not being remotely objective yet. The healthy amount of skepticism and stories of doom and gloom are helpful ...

I'd be right with ya'. I'm that kind of sappy sentimentalist.

If it were me - I'd probably see what worked and what didn't. Then get a "best vibe" on what was solid and what wasn't. Assuming you'd be boating on mostly inland lakes, I'd probably run it a couple of times to see what it did (be safe / not stupid). Might even go a couple hundred bucks into it before i made a decision. There's no real rush, right?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: May have just 'inherited' a deckboat...

But pictures aren't going to tell us the real issue--integrity under the deck.

 

[KDMatt]

Re: May have just 'inherited' a deckboat...

Alright guys, I got back from checking out the boat today. I took a ton of pictures, and while I suppose it's fair to say I'm not really an expert, it doesn't look too shabby to my eyes.

I'll upload a couple of pics and links here, but if anyone wants the full skinny, I've made a public google-drive album with about 30 pics or so.

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B7_bZL8NqxIAWDNaN190aGFpYnc&usp=sharing

Admittedly, there is some squish in the floor, as I expected, but it seems isolated to one section.

I took some videos while I was out there too, if anybody is curious -- I apologize for the shaky quality, I was holding my phone and moving around at the same time.

Me squishing around on the floor: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7_bZL8NqxIANWRUQzBOdF92X1k/edit?usp=sharing

Here's me pushing and pulling on the motor to check for transom flex: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7_bZL8NqxIAYlBFMzc4T1pYNmc/edit?usp=sharing

There was absolutely no flex in the transom from what I could tell (in fact, it made the whole boat shake up and down) ... and judging from the inside... forgive me, but is this a solid fiberglass transom? I couldn't see/hear/feel any wooden components anywhere within it. Pics are here, you guys tell me?

Also, I took some pictures underneath the hull, looking for stress-cracks and I couldn't see any. I'll let you guys be the judges here too.

I also took a rubber mallet and gave it some soft little thumbs across the hull, listening for tell-tale dead spots... I probably didn't hit all of the right places, but maybe the videos in there will help give the proper impression?

Everything sounds real solid, with the exception of the floor, like I mentioned before. Is this thing solid fiberglass?

Thoughts?

 

[greenbush future]

Re: May have just 'inherited' a deckboat...

I would core test the transom from the inside down low by the drain hole, and around any already existing transom mounted accessories. Same thing with the stringers (maybe through ski locker ) . I would also core sample the foam all the way down to the boat hull, and in a few different areas too.
The boat looks better than what you suggested it might be, you need more data to cost out the repairs needed. What's the issue with the outboard? why is it junk?