Rotten. Fix or Sell

[xanthras]

So we picked up a 1990 Starcraft Heritage 1901 this August. It appeared to be in fantastic shape and treated us very well for the season. As I was pulling it out last week I found out there are a few soft spots in the floor towards the engine compartment. As I looked further, it appears that Starcraft drilled a few 1 inch holes for drainage through the stringers in the bilge area on the left and right. I felt one side and it was solid wood, he other, mush.

So, I know I have at least a partially rotten stringers and floor. I am assuming (hoping, praying) that the transom is solid. I do know that it appears that the transom could be removed without pulling the cap.

I am a little handy, but not sure I could pull off a full stringer and floor replacement alone. My major concern is dealing with pulling the engine and being a beginner with fiberglass. I also want to keep costs reasonable. I just read a post where Oops said a floor/stringer/transom is $5-7k. if that is the case then I am afraid to say I will need to get rid of it or come up with some way to reduce the costs. So I guess that is my question. How can I pull this off for under 4k? Can I do some of the demo and re-construction myself and let a shop do the stuff I cant? Is this feasible? Also, I am in Syracuse NY, so doing any work between Nov-Mar is pretty much out of the question unless I find a way to fit it in my garage.

Here are some boat specs. 19 ft Open bow, 3.0 Merc. Fiberglass ( One of the few Starcraft ones I am sure)

 

[oops!]

Re: Rotten. Fix or Sell

you can do a full stringer transom for under 2 k with lots of work.

a pro is 5-7k

if you are just doing partials....the cost diy can be a lot lower than 2

post pics.....point to the rotted areas.....and we can give you a better estimate

 

[BWT]

Re: Rotten. Fix or Sell

How can I pull this off for under 4k? Can I do some of the demo and re-construction myself and let a shop do the stuff I cant?

Most shops don't typically go along with this as each tech has a certain way of approaching the repair which dictates how the "demo" is done. There's a saying that I'm sure you've heard that goes along the lines of, "if the owner wants to help, the price doubles" Like oops said, this is something that you can do yourself for a fairly reasonable cost and quite a bit of "sweat equity". There are alot of people here on the forum that will be happy to help walk you through the process. It's not all that difficult but does take some time. Look at the overall project as small stages/steps rather than one daunting task and it's alot less intimidating. Post some pics and you'll get the guidance you need

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Rotten. Fix or Sell

If you are a little handy, you will be fine. It just takes time, and with all the info on this forum, it should read like a manual. Check out my resto threads for some help.

Post up some pictures.

 

[xanthras]

Re: Rotten. Fix or Sell

Ok. Here we go. First attempt at pics, lets see how this goes. I am putting up several to give an good idea to the condition of the boat. The one of the engine and rear of the boat is where the soft spots are. On the left (drivers Side) under the farthest rear seat and the coresponding farthest rear seat. So here is what I am wondering. Going by the engine pic, is #1 is where I would expect the stringer, is that right? #2, is where I found the drilled hole (with mush) in the bilge. #3 is the wall of the bilge. Is it separate from the stringer? If so I am wondering if this could not be as bad as I was thinking. The oposite side was solid wood. The wood the engine mount is bolted to feels solid. No cores as of yet. Opinions?

 

[mxcobra]

Re: Rotten. Fix or Sell

i dont see any rot?

 

[xanthras]

Re: Rotten. Fix or Sell

Beauty is only skin deep. At least under the two rear seats and left bilge wall. I wish I had read Oops and Friscos threads before I bought it!

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Rotten. Fix or Sell

i dont see any rot?

That's the thing about those FG boats, they rot from the bottom up and by the time you see it...

 

[SumBum]

Re: Rotten. Fix or Sell

That's a nice looking Boat. I am in the same situation, I bought a boat that had a couple soft spots on the deck. After reading the endless resto threads on this forum I wasn't surprised yesterday to find everything rotted. I've decided that any boat I can afford is going to have rot. And rather than try to sell someone my problem, I'd rather just redo it myself and then have a solid boat that I know will last a long time.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Rotten. Fix or Sell

That's a very nice looking boat. Nice trailer, upholstery is in nice shape. If it also has no mechanical issues and you like the boat, I'd say fixing it is a no-brainer. That being said, I think this kind of work is DIY or forget it. It will cost a ton to have someone else do it and a lot of the people on this site that have had this kind of work done have not been pleased with the results. You've read the forum and know what to do so get to it! Good luck with your project.

 

[mxcobra]

Re: Rotten. Fix or Sell

sumbum has sound advice!!!

 

[Outback Jack]

Re: Rotten. Fix or Sell

That's a nice looking Boat. I am in the same situation, I bought a boat that had a couple soft spots on the deck. After reading the endless resto threads on this forum I wasn't surprised yesterday to find everything rotted. I've decided that any boat I can afford is going to have rot. And rather than try to sell someone my problem, I'd rather just redo it myself and then have a solid boat that I know will last a long time.

Exactly how I felt when I was looking around. You can also add a few of your own personal touches to the restore . It will take some time to do, but the thing about doing any restore work is you can see your accomplishments and will appreciate it in the end. Good Luck

 

[DustinJean]

Re: Rotten. Fix or Sell

im with everybody else on this one, everything else looks to be good, the interior is especially in good shape and its the off season now anyways, so tear into it and you have all winter to get it done then it will last you plenty more years

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Rotten. Fix or Sell

Most shops don't typically go along with this as each tech has a certain way of approaching the repair which dictates how the "demo" is done. There's a saying that I'm sure you've heard that goes along the lines of, "if the owner wants to help, the price doubles" Like oops said, this is something that you can do yourself for a fairly reasonable cost and quite a bit of "sweat equity". There are alot of people here on the forum that will be happy to help walk you through the process. It's not all that difficult but does take some time. Look at the overall project as small stages/steps rather than one daunting task and it's alot less intimidating. Post some pics and you'll get the guidance you need

This is correct ^^^

You can do this within your 4k budget on materials ( below your 4k in fact ).

Its not really the repairs that you concern yourself with .. its the Technical aspects. Like making sure you measure out and document every known before your distructo phase starts. Put it all back together were you found it.

Buy materials in bulk. If your cost of 4 gals of resin is the same as 5 gals .. then buy the 5 gal bucket. .. stuff like that.

Have your ducks in a row before you Mix Anything.

Like BWT said .. look at the resto in stages. It Really helps.

Good luck and keep posting away.

YD.

 

[wagnerz]

Re: Rotten. Fix or Sell

What causes a boat to get rotten wood?

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Rotten. Fix or Sell

What causes a boat to get rotten wood?

H2O .. Water ..

YD.

 

[proshadetree]

Re: Rotten. Fix or Sell

HAHAHAHAH Good one YD

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Rotten. Fix or Sell

HAHAHAHAH Good one YD

You think that was good.. At first I was going to post " Wood " ..

YD.

 

[oops!]

Re: Rotten. Fix or Sell

a bad owner causes the boat to rot.....if the boat was properly cared for......it wouldnt......a simple thing like covering the boat allways when sitting.....will make the boat last 20 years longer.

an uncovered boat.....can rot out in 6 years depending on area and conditions.

even though the manufacturers can be blamed to some extent.....it is just about allways the owner that is to blame.

keep the boat covered.....the bow high and the drain plug out. simple.