Need information on Sea Ray construction

[timoniumsearaycuddy]

Hello to everyone. I am new to this site and would like some information on construction techniques used by Sea Ray to build sport boats. I recently purchased a 1990 20 foot cuddy cabin and discovered some rotten wood on either side of the fuel tank area. I assume that the wood on either long side of the fuel tank are part of the stringer system but would like to confirm that before I go through the bother of removing a full fuel tank and part of the deck.

The structure seems to have a ½” x 3” x 48” piece of fiberglassed plywood laminated to a ½:” x 6” piece of plywood that goes from the bulkhead (in front of the motor) in the bilge area to somewhere forward of the fuel tank panel. This piece of plywood appears to be laminated to a piece of sideways “Z” shaped something (foam perhaps) which has been laminated with chopped fiberglass. I need to replace a 12” section of the laminated plywood on both sides of the fuel tank about 12” away from the bilge bulkhead. I would like to know if the plywood is in fact the stringer and therefore is a structural member. I would also like to know if this boat has a wooden core hull, or if it is just formed fiberglass.

One other mystery before I remove some of the decking. I’m not sure what the “Z” shaped form is for. It appears that the deck on either side of the fuel tank area extends over the void from the sideways “Z” shape and meets the top of the 6” plywood strip. I would like to know what is immediately below the deck so I know where I can cut, and also how I should build the area back up to support the deck.

I appreciate any help you can give me. I couldn’t find this information in the forums anywhere, but if it is there please provide a link.

Thanks.

 

[1956olds]

You probably need to post some pictures of the area so the other owners can see the issues and compare them to thier boats or experiences as not all boats of the same size and year came with the same options .

 

[Simo]

Hi from Finland, Europe!

In last september I bought my first boat, a Sea Ray 200 CC from 1990. It was supposed to be in good condition because of 188 running hours only, but I found rotted and wetted plywood panels especially on the starboard side.
Have been replacing those since.

There are several critical manufacturing screwups :

- Under the ice cube box (under the right rear seat), the floor plywood is pure ,no coating at all => worst thing: the plywood is not laminated to hull , this allows water to go directly to PU filed floor console.

- Conduit (both ends) for fuel filling hose is so poorly made that it allows water to go in to the same console.

- Engine mount blocks are not coated on critacal points (you will need a mirror to see the places) => allows the construction to suck water.

Transom plywood not coated on crital poits (not easy to see )
1. the lowest point to pilge (above the draining plug).
2. Transom plywood left and right corners (inside the PU-filled side consoles) not coated.
Especially on the starboard (right) side, where the water is allowed to go in, will the transom plywood suck water.

My boat is manufactured by Sea Ray Europe in Ireland.