1972 Cruisers Inc minor restoration???

[Riegfrghtl]

Hello everyone! This is my first post in this particular forum so am hoping that everyone here can guide me in the right direction. I have a 1972 21' Cruisers Inc. Bonanza that has been in the family since 1980. The boat has been an absolute gem for the thiry years that we have had it. My father had first and then it was passed down to me when he traded up to a 42' Carver. Structurally the boat is in really sound shape. There are some cracks and chips from over the years that I plan to work on once the weather breaks here in northern New Jersey. I have a four foot section of a walkway to the cuddy cabin that has becoming spongy. I have been reading over the posts in this forum so I have general idea as to how to replace this section. Is there any advice that you guys can give me before I start this project? I know it will take opening the floor up to see what the damage is but am hoping to do some pre-work before I actually start ripping and tearing. I have no idea what can of worms I literally opening up. Thank you in advance for any help you can give me.

 

[boatflipper]

Re: 1972 Cruisers Inc minor restoration???

Well all I can say is read, read, and read some more!! There is so much knowledge here it is unbelievable. If you haven't already seen it mentioned i will go ahead and be the bearer of bad news--9 times out of 10, when you feel a spongy floor that generally means the stringers and possibly transom are getting near delamination and are ready for replacement.
About the only thing you can do to determine the condition of the transom and other sections of the deck is drill very small holes in various places. For the transom, go as low as possible-that seems to be where rot starts. If the shavings are dry-you are in luck. If not...well join the crowd

Hope this helps you some.

 

[Riegfrghtl]

Re: 1972 Cruisers Inc minor restoration???

Thanks boatflipper for the quick reply. The section that is spongy has two steps down to it leading to the cuddy. Unfortunately there is no drain here and at times water tends to lay here. There is a channel that runs from the bow to the stern that leads to bilge for water to travel to be pumped out. I do not know yet if stringers are soaked. I hoping transom is a-ok. I'll keep fingers crossed.

 

[boatflipper]

Re: 1972 Cruisers Inc minor restoration???

All you can do is hope!
If things dont turn out the way you want them to-this forum will guide you through anything that needs to be done!!