Replace the floor or not?

[elark7]

I was laid off in May and have not been able to get hired. So I am selling the boat I bought 5 years ago and planned to give to my son when he starts driving this fall, after buying a newer Bass Boat, which I picked up in the spring and may have to sell as well. It is a 1983 14 foot Bass boat. It is in decent shape. I am having the motor tuned up and spending way too much for that and already have more money in it then it is worth. I pulled the carpet that it had in it and was going to put down new and noticed that the fiberglass is pulling up from the wood floor. I do not have the money for a floor replacement (funny how I have the time to do it now but no money) but want to get as much out of the boat as I can. Is there a correct way to fix this without getting into a lot of time and money? Should I leave the carpet unglued and sell it that way, so the new owner can decide what to do, or will I get more for it with new glass/floor?

E

 

[lakelover]

Re: Replace the floor or not?

Sorry to hear you were laid off. I was laid off for a long period several years ago and it was especially frustrating to have the time to do things and not be able to do them because of the money situation. Hope you can get work soon, I know how hard it is.

If it were me, I would not replace it myself but let potential buyers know of the condition so they can take whatever action they might want. You won't have any more into it and who knows, someone may be looking for a boat that "needs a little work". I don't think you would be able to recoup your repair investment as increased value when you sell the boat.

Good luck.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Replace the floor or not?

That's a pretty tough question to answer. If the deck is starting to delaminate you very well may have wet wood. If the wood in the deck is wet you may also have wet/rotted stringers. Also, given the age of the boat there's a high probability that the transom is wet as well.

IMHO, you'd get more if everything were fixed that needed work, but you'd only come out ahead if you're able to do all the labor yourself. Financially you may just be better off putting the carpet back in and sell it as-is. But that leaves you the moral dilema of possibly hiding from the buyer a known issue. At a minimum you may want to acknowledge the fact that the deck is soft in one area. If you're absolutely certain that the transom is solid and not showing any signs of cracks, swelling, loosening hardware, etc. that's likely the best way to go.

I'm currently into my 2nd boat restoration. At least with this one I walked into it with eyes wide open knowing what I was getting into (even though the seller's mouth kept saying "just replace that little piece of deck and she'll be in perfect condition"). With my first boat restoration I didn't have a clue what I was getting into, and I'd like nothing better than to punch the previous owner in the nose. In any case it took me 6 weeks of weekends and evenings, and around $600 to replace the transom, stringers, and deck (and some of the material I didn't have to buy because I already had it). I'll likely come out ahead when I sell it versus what I'd have gotten if I were up front about it having a bad transom, but not if I were unscrupulous and found a buyer who didn't have a clue. At least now when I sell it I can sleep at night knowing I'm selling a solid boat.

 

[drewpster]

Re: Replace the floor or not?

A boat is a hole in the water you throw money in to. We have all heard that one.

The truth is you are going to get more money if the boat is solid. But the cost of repairing it is likely going to be more than the boat is worth given its age, unless it is a minor repair. If you are considering investing in the repair do as little as needed to make it safe and presentable. I do not believe in selling something without being honest. I have been in your position in the past and to me the small gain I get in a little more cash for the boat is not worth my principles.
My opinion, sell it for what you can get as-is. Even with the repairs you may not get the return on your investment. It is only worth what the buyer is willing to pay. Any other consideration is a gamble.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Replace the floor or not?

You'll probably get more if you remove the engine and controls and sell them seperately.

If the boat buyer wants the engine also, offer to rig it for an extra $100.
Also offer to re-pack the wheel bearings for another $50.

 

[elark7]

Re: Replace the floor or not?

Talked to an old timer and he advised that my modified trihull probably only has two stringers down the middle (deepest) part of the hull. He recommended removing the middle part of the floor, front deck to rear deck, which covers the area where the glass area is pulling up and the stringers (the spot in question is dead center next to the console). He said to drill holes to either side of the middle to check for rot and if none is found (which he suspects since the water drains directly down the middle of my boat between the stringers) to replace the stringers and wood floor in the middle, reglass everything and foam fill if there is any (he also doubted there was any foam and after looking around the exposed areas it appears there is only foam in the sides of the hull mid way up, and only down the sides). He felt that I could do this for around $350 and recoup the costs. I measured the inside wall to the floor and then from the top of the cap to the bottom of the hull and I have 3/4 to an inch of space left on the outside edge gradually going to about 3.5-5 inches in the middle (the middle V goes flat in about the front third of the floor goes out at angles toward the rear has some half circle cut out pattern to the outer edge then goes up and is flat to the rear, if that makes since). This lack of space on the outside area explains why the previous owner said he had to fill screw holes in the bottom of the hull from when he put new seats in. Any thoughts on going this route? I have a piece of 7 ply 3/4 " in my garage that will fit down the middle so I would only need 2X4's and the glass. My floor is 50" X 73" (including area under a live well and the console) so I would need 2 4X8 sheets for a full floor replacement putting a seam across the middle. I appreciate everyones input on this, and having read many posts on floor replacement, I just don't think I can sell the boat with the glass pulling up but don't want to do a half a@@ job either. The trailer was freshly painted with new lights and wiring this past winter. The hull has newer paint as well since I planned to pass it on and wanted it to look good and be safe for my son. And who knows maybe I will get lucky and be hired prior to selling it and can do like many others on here and tear the floor completely out. If this is not the way to go I may just break it apart and sell the boat, motor and trailer seperately. Thanks again.

E