Need advice checking for rot on 1985 270

[CapTwiggy]

I am new to the forum. I appreciate the information Keokie provided me earlier but now I can't figure out how to reach him again. Can anyone help?

To get others up to speed, we just purchased our first boat, a 1985 270 Sundancer with twin Mercruiser 185's. My wife has been wanting one for a LONG time and for many reasons this seemed to be the right time. Although we did extensive research and promised we wouldn't make an emotional purchase...we did. We love the boat, but just as you experience some "buyers remorse" after buying a car or home...Well, that's where we are. The deeper we look the more we see (we used the boat just three weekends before the marina closed for the season). I just tore into the engine and the drives. Things look really good. I do all my own maintenance on our gasoline, diesel and natural gas engines so I felt comfortable with doing the same on the boat (buying repair manuals for both the engines and drives also helped LOL!!). Just because I had not done the work myself, I replaced the impellers and bellows; a decision I am glad I made as both showed some wear. I winterized the boat and again found no real issues. I am in the process of pulling carpet and headliner as the previous owner did wiring and cut then headliner to pieces. As for the carpet, it just needed to go. Again, in doing so I found some shoddy wire work and will be replacing it too.

This is a copy of my post....
Keokie, I need your advice.

Hello again! The moisture meter goes off EVERYWHERE when used outside over the anti-fouling paint. The screwdriver method...I keep second guessing myself. I'm in the process of pulling all the carpet and headliner. When using the moisture meter on the inside of the bow (under Vberth) where the carpet is already removed, the meter shows no indication of moisture. Throughout the cabin, where there is carpet, meter readings are 50/50.

In reading through some of the older posts someone suggested weighing the boat, another suggested using an ice pick (??) to check for rotten wood.

Where should I start? How can I safely check for rot? How deep should I go? Meaning, for example, should I open up the area under the couch and sink and explore there? How would you do it? My main concerns are the windows leaking and most recently, I began using a putty knife to remove parts of the thick bottom paint and now believe the gelcoat may have been damaged by heavy sanding in one or two small places (most of bottom looks great so far...).

The wood under the windows (and headliner) is dry although it shows definite signs of a leak. Am I just being overly concerned? I just keep wondering where the water from the windows went and if the gelcoat I think is damaged allowed moisture in the hull.

I actually believe it was a post of yours that mentioned not replacing all the wood in your (dad's) boat and spores caused continued rot... Admittedly, that terrified me LOL.

I previously asked you about the boat listing to the starboard side which seems to be a design flaw. Do you see any issues with how the boat sits bow to stern? I ask because, according to my wife, the swim platform seems to drag in the water.

UPDATE:
I weighed the boat: 10314 lbs.
If I account for the almost 100 gallons of gasoline in the tank - subtract 600 lbs
Water tank, water lines and engine antifreeze - subtract 101 lbs
Trailer - subtract 1200 lbs
Boat - 6000/6500 lbs (depending on original options)
Where did the 1913 lbs come from??? (The boat was otherwise empty)

 

[Golfman25]

Ok slowdown. Take a breath. A boat that vintage will likely have some moisture intrusion. The question becomes how serouse is it.

First, using the moisture meter over the bottom paint will not work. Many bottom paints will set them off. That boat has a sold fiberglass hull anyway, so you'll find no rot in the hull.

Your bigger issue will be the transom which is reinforced with plywood. Use the meter and a hammer to test. Next will be the decks and areas around the windows. Finally, the engine stringers and other stringers. You may have to drill some holes to confrim what you have.

When you use the meter, you're looking for relative measures. Find a known dry area, check and then see how the meter acts over other suspect areas. Significant increase mean something is going on. Once you have an idea of the overall boat, then you can go from there. Good luck

 

[Thornton69]

We had a lot of rot in the stringers as well as some in the transom on our 245. In our case it appeared to have worked its way in from poorly sealed anchor screws in the motor mounts and trim tabs. The lag screws on the motor mounts were actually stripped out. Pulling them for inspection may give you a pretty good idea of what's going on in those areas. If nothing else, resealing them is always good peace of mind.

 

[CapTwiggy]

Thank you Golfman25 and Thorton69! I appreciate the advice!

 

[dvx216]

If you don't want to start poking holes everywhere you can tap around with a small ball peen hammer and listen for hollow sounds. It takes some practice but you'll get the hang of it.

 

[EKM]

I had the same boat and it was very solid. Mine had twin 350's - 260Hp w gen and AC. My swim platform was almost in the water and your looks like its 2" above the water. Looks good. These are heavy solid boats. My boat listed too. Best thing I did was put in a real head system.

 

[kevin27]

Just leave it alone and use it. It would cost too much to fix it if the stringers are bad anyway. Seal up the windows good and try not to have leaks. You'll know something is bad if the engine falls off the stringer. Don't worry and have fun.

 

[CapTwiggy]

I had the same boat and it was very solid. Mine had twin 350's - 260Hp w gen and AC. My swim platform was almost in the water and your looks like its 2" above the water. Looks good. These are heavy solid boats. My boat listed too. Best thing I did was put in a real head system.

"Real head system" tell me more!!

Did you add air? Where did you put unit?

 

[keokie]

Hey, Cap.

I did not see this thread in my new posts search, and I've only been on a few times in the last couple weeks. PM me and I'll give you my cell.

As far as the original claimed weight, I wouldn't put much stock in that number. And what trailer is it on? I thinking it weighs more than 1200lbs.

The boat sits in the water the way I would expect.

I'd hold off on the buyer's remorse. Indications so far are positive, and that particular model from Sea Ray is outstanding.

Let's connect and talk live.