Old boat fans?

[jigngrub]

Have you checked the decking edge inside the motor well?

What does the center glass look like in the windshield walk-thru, does it fit perfectly or is it mismatched or overlapping? If it's mismatched or overlapping this is a sign of a weak/sagging deck with rot below deck. Also look at the bottom of the consoles to see if they've been shimmed up to compensate for a sagging deck.

 

[Chad Flaugher]

Ah ha! I wondered about that center glass. It does not overlap... Just the opposite in fact.It just barely made contact with the other side. strange, right? Sagging would cause it to overlap in my mind. I don't think the seats are factory either. I haven't officially started the tear out yet for upholstery, but I am becoming nervous... If I removed the ice chest in the floor, would that reveal the stringers?

 

[jigngrub]

Removing the ice chest should reveal something, maybe just foam but maybe stringers too. You could also check the decking thickness there and check the foam for saturation.

The center piece for the windshield would certainly be a red flag for me. If the deck was raised as in overlaying it could very well put the consoles further apart which would explain the gap. Or the hull side could have been pushed out if more decking was laid.

 

[Chad Flaugher]

So I tore out the ice chest, and I wasn't expecting to find what I did... First of all, no shims under console, and only one layer of decking. I consider that the good. The bad, was that the underside of the decking was damp, but definitely not at all soft or rotted anywhere I could reach. Where the wooden (so I thought) stringers would be, I found what looks to be large hollow fiberglass supports on either side of the ice chest. One under the walkway to the bow, and one in between the chest and the fuel tank. This is a Tri Hull, so the span under the decking would be much shorter I presume, as well as the distance from the deck to the bottom of the hull. I see nothing rotten, or that could even rot under the deck. What did I just find? Anybody?

 

[jbcurt00]

Sealed below the deck, the wet ply will either dry rot or rot. Yes, tri hulls have a different deck and its support layout then other boat types.

 

[Chad Flaugher]

It felt like condensation to me. I think I'm in pretty good shape. I'll leave it open for ventilation, and perhaps remove the cover over the fuel tank as well. I may have actually dodged the bullet. Any thoughts on why the window gap was slightly wider? How about the sealant for the steering cable brass ball bracket going through the transom? Thanks guys!

 

[jigngrub]

Without pictures it's hard to tell about a lot of this stuff like the windshield center glass.

For the transom sealant 3M 4200 marine sealant will be a good choice.

 

[jbcurt00]

A pix, or 3 would help

If the windshield panel barely reaches the far side, it means the consoles (or at least the tops) are further apart then they were originally.

Sagging APART instead of together.

Not seeing the boat in total, the bottom of the hull in total, how the trailer is setup and how the hull is supported on the trailer, I don't know how or why the panel no longer fits right.

It would not surpise me that a 40+yr old fiberglass boat might have some hull deformation. In 100% pristine condition vintage boats, I'd wager it's not typical, but might happen over time.

IF it's the original windshield. If it's a replacement, then it may have not been installed correctly.

Again, my 1st thought is that all is not as 100% as it seems. That's based on seeing hundreds of 5-50+ yr old boats torn apart because of 1 small soft spot up to a completely rotted deck.

 

[jigngrub]

Again, my 1st thought is that all is not as 100% as it seems. That's based on seeing hundreds of 5-50+ yr old boats torn apart because of 1 small soft spot up to a completely rotted deck.

.... but... but, it's just a little soft spot! I'll just pull back the carpet a little and cut out a 1 foot square and patch a new piece of plywood in and it'll be good as new!

 

[Tnstratofam]

^^^^ Yeah been there done that, got the tee shirt, and the rotten $2500 dollar ski boat to prove it!

I hope that the windshield issue turns out to be a simple fix.

 

[Chad Flaugher]

I fabricated a polished aluminum extension onto the fixed section last year. It actually looks great, and works like a charm. I never really thought about the trailer being an issue, but that totally makes sense. After all, that boat has spent 99.9% of its life sitting on it! As always, thanks guys! I'll really be digging in here in a few weeks.

 

[Woodonglass]

If you want the members here on the forum to provide you with the best advice possible your REALLY need to work hard on getting pics of your boat and the areas needing attention posted to your thread. Not being able to see what you see makes it nearly impossible to offer legitimate instructions on how to proceed with with repairs or if repairs are even needed. If you need help with setting up and using Photobucket, send be a PM and I'll be more than happy to work with you and provided detailed instructions to get you going.

 

[Chad Flaugher]

[No message]

 

[Chad Flaugher]

facing bow

These are the deck supports on either side of the ice chest. Hollow fiberglass. Hollow fiberglass stringers run the other direction as well. I'll be sure to snap lots of photo's when I get started on the interior. I have seen enough evidence to feel comfortable leaving the deck and carpet in place.

 

[Woodonglass]

OK looks like you got the Pic thing figured out and that's GREAT!!!! Soooo, what are we looking at, and what's the question?

 

[jigngrub]

If the deck feels solid and the carpet still looks decent you can probably get another 2-4 years out of the carpet and decking, but then you'll have to take everything apart again to redo the carpet and replace the decking if it needs it.

Keeping your boat trailered, covered, and dry on the inside when not in use will keep it looking better for longer.

 

[Chad Flaugher]

That wouldn't be a big deal actually. I was more concerned about the boat having rotten wooden stringers. That's where the real work seems to be!