Hello all,
I was hoping for some friendly help with my boat. Before I tell you the problems, first let me state that I am new to this whole boating world, so please respond in the simplest terms possible....
At the end of last season I bought a used Maxum Ski Boat from a co-worker who's husband is a boat mechanic. I was told that the boat was recently revived and running perfect and if any problems were to arise in the first season of use that they would be taken care of as part of the purchase agreement. I guess they saw the word SUCKER plastered on my forehead, because to this day they are unreachable (and I work with the wife!)
When the boat came out of storage at the beginning of the season it was tested at the Marina (not associated with my co-workers husband) and it started up great....until it left the comforts of land. From the moment the boat went into the water it didn't work. After multiple parts being replaced (water/air separator, coil, distributor cap, router, boot, shift cable, anti-syphone valve, fuel pump...to name a few) the boat it finally purring like a kitten. Go Me! And I have to say that for someone who knew literally nothing about boats or engines, I can tell you where every part of that engine is located, how it works and how to test it.
Like any new old boat owner, my original plans consisted on replacing the tattered vinyl and carpeting. Being the handy and creative person that I am, I have been researching what to replace it with. Today I went to measure so that I can purchase the vinyl and carpeting, and when I lifted up the cushions and carpeting, I found rot, rot and more rot. (This is where I hear you saying out loud....wow, she really is a SUCKER!). Having had the experience with the engine and it's lovely accouterments, I am terrified to know how bad the flooring is underneath the rot I already see!
Basically what it comes down to is that the deck needs to be replaced, my funds are short, and I am clueless of how to even start going about it. It looks like the "previous owners" did a patch job over it, prior to sale. The boat in its glory days had a ski storage compartment which now seems to be poorly fiberglassed over. Only problem with that is that the wood is soooooooo warped that it has now bowed through with huge cracks.
Can anyone tell me step-by-painful-step how to replace the entire deck? Please don't say get a book....I have tried and still feel unsure because I don't know what a boat looks like without the deck. I am afraid that I might do something that would cause permanent damage, like put a whole in her belly or damage the gas tank. Pictures with me are worth a ten-thousand words, so if you know of a dvd that will walk me through it that would be helpful too.
Is there anyone out there that can help this damsel in serious distress before this boat puts her 6 feet under?
I was hoping for some friendly help with my boat. Before I tell you the problems, first let me state that I am new to this whole boating world, so please respond in the simplest terms possible....
At the end of last season I bought a used Maxum Ski Boat from a co-worker who's husband is a boat mechanic. I was told that the boat was recently revived and running perfect and if any problems were to arise in the first season of use that they would be taken care of as part of the purchase agreement. I guess they saw the word SUCKER plastered on my forehead, because to this day they are unreachable (and I work with the wife!)
When the boat came out of storage at the beginning of the season it was tested at the Marina (not associated with my co-workers husband) and it started up great....until it left the comforts of land. From the moment the boat went into the water it didn't work. After multiple parts being replaced (water/air separator, coil, distributor cap, router, boot, shift cable, anti-syphone valve, fuel pump...to name a few) the boat it finally purring like a kitten. Go Me! And I have to say that for someone who knew literally nothing about boats or engines, I can tell you where every part of that engine is located, how it works and how to test it.
Like any new old boat owner, my original plans consisted on replacing the tattered vinyl and carpeting. Being the handy and creative person that I am, I have been researching what to replace it with. Today I went to measure so that I can purchase the vinyl and carpeting, and when I lifted up the cushions and carpeting, I found rot, rot and more rot. (This is where I hear you saying out loud....wow, she really is a SUCKER!). Having had the experience with the engine and it's lovely accouterments, I am terrified to know how bad the flooring is underneath the rot I already see!
Basically what it comes down to is that the deck needs to be replaced, my funds are short, and I am clueless of how to even start going about it. It looks like the "previous owners" did a patch job over it, prior to sale. The boat in its glory days had a ski storage compartment which now seems to be poorly fiberglassed over. Only problem with that is that the wood is soooooooo warped that it has now bowed through with huge cracks.
Can anyone tell me step-by-painful-step how to replace the entire deck? Please don't say get a book....I have tried and still feel unsure because I don't know what a boat looks like without the deck. I am afraid that I might do something that would cause permanent damage, like put a whole in her belly or damage the gas tank. Pictures with me are worth a ten-thousand words, so if you know of a dvd that will walk me through it that would be helpful too.
Is there anyone out there that can help this damsel in serious distress before this boat puts her 6 feet under?
)Ron G
