I'm looking at purchasing a 78 SRV-197 with a 898 merc in it. I have heard horror stories of old boats and rot so I have a few questions for the experts. The floor right in front of the engine is rotted, I pulled the carpet up there and I can see the wood is bad. There are a few soft spots in the floor right in front of where the back jump seats are. Also there is a in floor storage area and the wood framing the opening out is broken in a couple spots and soft. Currently the boat is sitting outside uncovered and is holding a little water in the fuel tank hole. Is this boat a disaster in the making? I'm wondering if this boat would need a whole new floor or if I could jsut repair the soft spots.
Soft floor questions
- Thread starter 94 formy
- Start date
Sundancer
Well-Known Member
- Jul 20, 2005
- 2,909
- Boat Info
- 34 year old CLASSIC 300 DA, towed almost anywhere behind the Duramax Dually Crew Cab.
- Engines
- 16 cyl, 700 cu. in./Alpha I's
You could repair the soft spots, but on a boat that old sitting outside, I'd guess that the rest of the wood is on it's way as well. If you are going to fix part of the floor, you might as well do all of it! Once you strip everything out to fix the current soft spots, I'd guess it would be easier just to replace the whole thing and not worry about blending it and getting a look at the stringers underneath.
BarryCF
Active Member
Even if the boat is free, it's going to cost a lot of time or money or both. You might want to look at a boat in better condition. It's a buyers market at the moment, lots of good deals if you look around.
IronMan
New Member
I replaced a floor in a 1969 Glastron about 15 years ago. I would never do it again. In my opinion, the poor condition of the floor usually indicates an overall lack of maintenance. You will no doubt find many other problems related to poor maintenance. The time and money involved would be much better spent investing in a boat in better condition.:huh:
JC_Weekender
New Member
Even a well taken care of boat that old will have problems. As I'm finding with my 78 Weekender, and my Dad was the previous owner!!! So I can imagine the prob this one may have??
Here is a few things I came across as an example:
http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22948
Here is a few things I came across as an example:
http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22948
I know the current owner of the boat he hasn't had it very long. When he got it it had a cover on it but was pretty worn and tattered. He just put a new motor in it, had the outdrive, controls and all the electronics gone through and has receipts for all of it. All the glass and floor around the motor and motor mounts are solid and looks to have been redone. Is this boat even worth messing with? Thanks for the input guys.
tobnpr
New Member
I'd move on. Sounds like any price other than free for the boat is too much.
Like IronMan said, you're going to find other problems- perhaps (or likely) rotted stringers as well.
Next...
Like IronMan said, you're going to find other problems- perhaps (or likely) rotted stringers as well.
Next...
mvoellinger
Member
For 8 or 9k you can get a boat like mine, LOW hours, great condition, and just needing the regular maint. I bought mine last august, 70 hours, for $9k with a 3 year old trailer. I had to do the impeller and an oil change. Since then Ive replaced the starter solenoid and the exhaust elbow gasket. Total investment in a year and 100 hours, about 10k including a radio.