Trying to save a 1983 18-8 Bayliner Capri

[sonofchamplin]

I'm a noob posting to iboats, but I've aquired a 83 capri 18-8 it needs tons of work but I think I'm up to the challenge. the floors are good only one soft spot, no hull damage, but the transom is rotted all the way through and the outdrive is hanging off. Also I'm thinking of redoing the whole engine bay and seat decks, but haven't been able to find a blueprint, I have basic measurements, but if i could find a factory print it would help alot. the motor is a vp-4cyl with a vp outdrive, don't know anything about it yet. anyone who might have info or suggestions on where to start or what to do with the measurements and the transom (clueless on transom) I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[lowvlot]

Re: Trying to save a 1983 18-8 Bayliner Capri

Welcome to iboats.

Spend some time researching on the site. There are alot of us that are doing our own restores right now and this is a great place to get help. If the floor is soft and your Transom is rotted you better be thinking of tearing out the deck and looking at the stringers as well. As far as a blueprint goes it's your boat and you can make it what you want. You don't have to put it back the way the factory did. If your going to be doing the transom you will most likely have to remove the cap and obviously the motor. Good luck and keep posting.

 

[JAFO1]

Re: Trying to save a 1983 18-8 Bayliner Capri

HOWDY! Welcome to iboats!
I'm up to my eye balls in an old Skeeter resto. I didn't know anything about boats before I started, but that didn't stop me. The hardest part is for me is over thinking everything. Make templates of the transom and stringers if you can. If not take lots of measurements and take lots of pictures. I even took pictures of the measurements for reference, and I didn't take enough pictures. Like lowvlot said, it's your boat, and as I've been told, you can rebuild it however you want. Enjoy!

 

[howlnmad]

Re: Trying to save a 1983 18-8 Bayliner Capri

you got a project there. If the transom is rotted and you have a soft spot in the deck, you can bet the stringers are soft too. As for the interior... it's only your imagination that will hold you back. Search for a thread by lowkee, he's doing a B'liner BR with a lot of great pics and info. Maybe it'll help. There is so much great info on here and so many friends willing to help with questions. Just remember, we're all picture junkies. We can never get enough .

 

[BillS-7]

Re: Trying to save a 1983 18-8 Bayliner Capri

Just finished saving a 1988 Bayliner Capri 1900 with a Force 125 OB. I had the same thoughts as you a year ago when I got her. The floor was a little soft, the interior was deplorable (looked like a racoon was living in it) and the boat weighed way more than it should have. I use this forum to get ideas on what I should do. The more I got into it the further I had to go. Fortunately my transom was in good shape, but that was about it. Ended up tearing it down to the hull - gutting the whole thing and rebuilding it the way I wanted it. The biggest problem was that all of the buoyancy foam was completely saturated which caused the surrounding wood to rott. You've got yourself a project, but a doable one. Don't take any shortcuts. Almost everything you need to know is right here in this forum. Good Luck and Welcome Aboard!

 

[jonesg]

Re: Trying to save a 1983 18-8 Bayliner Capri

Its a complete gut job.
Sawzall, crowbar etc.

If the engine is no good scrap the whole thing, keep the trailer and find an alum boat that takes an outboard.

What you have is called harzardous waste and costs money to dispose.

 

[sonofchamplin]

Re: Trying to save a 1983 18-8 Bayliner Capri

well we got all the interior gutted and the seat foam all seems to be in good condition so i hope it's just a recover job ahead, the floor shows 2 weak spots now that all the carpet is pulled so i think it's gonna end up being a full gut and redo anyway there's a lot of work ahead but will post up pix and progression as it moves along, and i'm open to any thoughts and idea's on things to do to her. also in the back seat i want to add a livewell, any thoughts and idea's?? thanks for the post ya'll and i'll do my best to keep everyone up to date. i'll post up pix later today.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Trying to save a 1983 18-8 Bayliner Capri

Get the motor checked out FIRST. DO NOT spend any money on fixing the boat until you are 100% sure that the motor and the outdrive are 100% operational. They can be VERY EXPENSIVE to repair. The boat may NOT be worth fixing. You will spend $1,000.00 MINIMUM and 80 hrs of work to fix the deck and the transom and then find out the motor is SHOT. NOT GOOD!!! Get it checked FIRST!!!!

I'm just sayin...

 

[JAFO1]

Re: Trying to save a 1983 18-8 Bayliner Capri

Get the motor checked out FIRST. DO NOT spend any money on fixing the boat until you are 100% sure that the motor and the outdrive are 100% operational. They can be VERY EXPENSIVE to repair. The boat may NOT be worth fixing. You will spend $1,000.00 MINIMUM and 80 hrs of work to fix the deck and the transom and then find out the motor is SHOT. NOT GOOD!!! Get it checked FIRST!!!!

I'm just sayin...

This is the best advise for a first step in a restoration.

 

[sonofchamplin]

Re: Trying to save a 1983 18-8 Bayliner Capri

Sorry its been a few days since I posted but I had shoulder surgery. anyway here are a few pix since the panels and carpet have been removed. Looks like I'm gutting it down all the way. Gonna be awhile till I can star cause of the arm but I'm here and still open to thoughts and idea's also found out I might be able to get a 350 with a alpha lower pretty cheap so I might just pull the vp and not worry if it works or not.