what to do now?

N

nathan005

New Member
Jul 29, 2008
22
saint clair shores
Boat Info
25 sundancer
Engines
5.7 260
1986 25FT Sundancer Single 5.7 Merc.

Not sure what to do know!

Bought this boat in '08 and it has been one big headache since.

First i made the mistake of not having a survey done and after using the boat for a few weeks discovered the owner did a good cover up job on some rotten wood in the engine compartment (see pic). Then on labor day '09 motor blew a rod!!!!. Thats was scary, thankfully i have towing coverage.

So the question is i have to pull the motor anyways, do i try and fix the rotten wood hoping that no other rot is discovered or do i cut my loses and dump the thing.

I have a family member that can get me a long block at cost so that makes it bit easier on my pockets. I have no experience with fiberglass work or were to even begin!!

What would you do?
 

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Re: what to do know?

I would say hire a surveyor and have them go through the boat to see what kind of damage you have. Then you'll know what you are dealing with.
 
Re: what to do know?

I agree with Mike - you need to find out what else is there which will then help you with the decision. What does the rest of the boat look like? You're already looking at an engine replacement - even at cost it isn't a cheap job. Make sure you are getting a marine long block and not an automotive - there is a difference!

Edit: Went back through a previous post and it looks like you discovered this back in March 2009. Has nothing been done since? Has the boat been used this whole time until the engine problem? If you didn't fix the problem right away you may now have a bigger problem to deal with.
 
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Re: what to do know?

Do you prefer Vodka or Scotch?























Seriously, though, get a handle on what the structural repairs will take before going much further. I would recommend getting a couple opinions, and do some reading on fiberglass repairs.

Boat ownership is not for the feint of heart. But it is worth it.
 
Re: what to do know?

nathan005 said:
1986 25FT Sundancer Single 5.7 Merc.

Not sure what to do know!

Bought this boat in '08 and it has been one big headache since.

First i made the mistake of not having a survey done and after using the boat for a few weeks discovered the owner did a good cover up job on some rotten wood in the engine compartment (see pic). Then on labor day '09 motor blew a rod!!!!. Thats was scary, thankfully i have towing coverage.

So the question is i have to pull the motor anyways, do i try and fix the rotten wood hoping that no other rot is discovered or do i cut my loses and dump the thing.

I have a family member that can get me a long block at cost so that makes it bit easier on my pockets. I have no experience with fiberglass work or were to even begin!!

What would you do?
Click to expand...

Will your insurance cover the engine damage? :huh:
 
Re: what to do know?

"Do you prefer Vodka or Scotch?" :smt043
" My advice to you is to start drinking.......heavily" :grin:

I did the motor in my 260 several years back. It wasn't a bad job.....If the rest of the structure is good I would repair it. This way you start with a new motor that you can maintain appropriately. Unless your'e getting out of boating altogether( you wouldn't be the first) you won't really know what your getting with the next one....
Whatever you choose, Good Luck! Todd
 
Re: what to do know?

1.) How much do you have invested in the boat? I would think that this would be a key factor in determining your direction moving forward.

2.) Other than the engine & fiberglass issues, Is there any other work or "add ons" needed to meet your boating needs?

3.) If you do these repairs, Do you plan on keeping the boat for any length of time or is this a stepping stone?
 
Re: what to do know?

I never checked into an insurance claim, did not think they would cover something like that.

I just fiqured pull the boat and store it so i can use the winter to save for the motor, which is what i've done

The engine i plan on getting is a remanufactured jasper marine long block, If i have my marina
pull the old one i can swap all parts myself and have them put the new in.

I Just put a lot of money into new cabin upolsthery, new toilet with remote holding tank, and fresh water pickup, battery charger and couple of other small things.

I like the boat and wanted to keep it for years to come, if i have to dump it no doubt i will be taking a huge loss.
How is the surveyor going to be able to tell me how deep the rot goes?

Anyone have a clue on what it would cost to have a pro fix the fiberglass?

I think i might just mix my scotch with vodka!
 
Re: what to do know?

A surveyor will look the whole boat over and let you know what the all the issues are. A surveyor can also check moisture content in the hull, stringers, transom etc. and you can probably learn a lot about the boat's construction too if you are there while he is doing the survey. And he will also be a good one to ask about possible repair costs and who might be able to handle it.

Dave
 
Re: what to do know?

Sounds like you've already put time & money into the boat on top of the original purchace price. You also state that you plan to keep the boat. So you are probably at the point where it is too late to turn back now. (not always a bad thing). Which is why I asked the questions.

Hire a surveyor and BE THERE during the survey. Write down questions before hand & take notes while you are there. Lets hope that the rot isn't to extensive and that the motor issue is the only drive train issue since you obviously will not be able to run the boat until the motor is replaced.

As Dave said, a good surveyor should be able to give you an idea of the extent of the damage & even guide you towards a repair provider.

One more thing - The more time you spend reading here on CSR the better off you'll be! Good luck. Keep us posted.

ps....I've mixed a lot of things with vodka back in the day but scotch.....ah, no. Remember there are no problems that alcohol can't make worse.
 
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Re: what to do know?

electricaldoctor said:
Will your insurance cover the engine damage? :huh:
Click to expand...

On a 24 year old boat? You're kidding right?

Ask yourself if you love that boat and wish it were new. If the answer is yes and yes, then take up a second job, get out your checkbook and make yourself a new boat. Otherwise, cut your losses. You can't put the money into an engine and then leave that rot. That's half-assed.

Now, if you do fix her up, you will have a great boat, like new for the next 10 years at a price much less than a new boat. You just have to do it right and that requires a committment today.
 
I bought a 1982 28 footer non SR in 2001 for 25,000 spent 20,000 fixing it up and sold it in 2006 for 12,000. In all it was a good learning experience. The previous owner rebuilt the stern of the boat as you require it cost him 17,000. He also put in a new gas tank. Do not know what that cost. I put in new interior, redid the front deck as it was rotten balsa core. When I got rid of it it would have required new stern drives in a couple of years. I was a good learning experience that taught me to get a better boat to start with and save the expense of fixing an old boat.
 
If the only bad wood is the side shelf(s) then the repair isn't all that bad, especially with the engine removed. Since you already have to pull the engine, now would be the time to do the repairs. Check the engine stringers and transom for rot, or hire a surveyor to do it. There is a very good thread running here on CSR where the guy is doing those shelves and his transom and stringers, well worth reading. The biggest part of these kinds of jobs is the labor, materials are a distant second. If you are doing the labor, this repair could be done for little money. However, if you hire a glass man to do the work the labor will be many times the materials costs. Its definately repairable but you need do determine your skill level and abilities to determine if you want to tackle it.
Been there done that, very rewarding when you're all done.
 
A shot of Scotch with a Vodka chaser! Now there's a guy I want to party with!!:lol:
 
MWPH, It was do you prefer vodka OR scotch. My self.... gin.
 
on the brighter side of things i contacted the broker i purchased the boat from (in 2008) and surprisingly he is going to help
with the cost of the motor repair, how much is yet to be discussed but even if its $1.00 im better off then i was a week ago.

His estimate for the repair from the mechenic was $3,500
for a remanufactured long block with 2 Yr warranty plus parts and labor.
 
Wow! I am suprised he is even willing to talk about it. First thing that came to my mind was that he probably knew about the issues. I don't know if the price is right or not, others are more qualified for that discussion. The fact the he will "help with the cost" is great. So if it were me... "lets go"! Seems to me that you have a lot of time & money invested in this allready. Make sure the rot issues are corrected while the engine is out & move forward. Good luck.
 
Well i just talked to the broker and he's going to cover 1/3 of the bill. Far more than i expected. The boat is being picked up within 2 weeks so they can have it done before the busy season here in michigan.

Now i need to coordinate the fiberglass guy with the mechanic. I decided to hire some to do the fiberglass
so he can get in and get out plus im saving money on the
motor so why the hell not.

Summer here i come
 
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