1990 Wellcraft Eclipse 196 XL - Restoration Project

[TinManMike]

I posted a thread in the I/O Motor section about replacing the motor for this winter project I bought. I knew the floor had a few soft spots in the rear section of the deck, so was prepared to have to replace quite a bit of flooring. I started ripping the old floor out today and discovered what I thought may be the case. A bad stringer next to the fuel tank on the port side. The starboard side appears to be healthy.

I will post some pics of what I found today a little later, but was wondering the best technique for cutting the deck away from the hull sides. I was a trim carpenter for 15 years and have many types of saws (i.e. sawzall, circular, jig, table saw, etc.), but it looks like a side cutting grinder may be the ticket. Any advice?

I have looked at many of the restoration projects and have seen some great completed projects. Hope this one turns out as good.

Thanks for any replies.
Mike

 

[oops!]

Re: 1990 Wellcraft Eclipse 196 XL - Restoration Project

HI Tinman.

Welcome to iboats.

Our motor gurus are fantastic here....they really know their stuff.

as far as the tool......circ saw for the main deck......the lip left by the circ saw is usually a sawzall with a long blade....then the very edges are ground off with a 4 inch grinder and 24 grit disc

 

[TinManMike]

Re: 1990 Wellcraft Eclipse 196 XL - Restoration Project

Thanks, guys.

I'm good with a skill saw, was just a little worried about getting close to the edges.
I'll post some pics tonight when I'm done working on it.

Mike

 

[TinManMike]

Re: 1990 Wellcraft Eclipse 196 XL - Restoration Project

Here's a few pics of today's work. I'm really looking forward to taking on this project, should be fun!


I have tried to re-size the photos and it's not working.
I have plenty of photos but cannot get them the right size. I re-sized them on Photobucket to the 640 x 480 size and they aren't showing up like that. I'll keep trying.

Mike

 

[TinManMike]

Re: 1990 Wellcraft Eclipse 196 XL - Restoration Project

Here's a few more photos showing the floor rot and starboard stringer rotted next to the fuel tank. The pics are the right size when you click on the thumbnail, I have no idea why.

 

[Oldrod 47]

Re: 1990 Wellcraft Eclipse 196 XL - Restoration Project

Subscribing to this thread

 

[kmarine]

Re: 1990 Wellcraft Eclipse 196 XL - Restoration Project

I believe somehow blemish in glass or hole drilled for accessory od decking allowed for water to get to the wood in the stringer. After that it is a matter of time before it rots away. Common problemb for many boats reguardless of brand name. Not the most dificult thing to repair just a lot of time. I also like using an ossilating saw/ multi tool to remove and scrape away rotted wood. after fiting new stringer material, then build up your fiberglass.

 

[TinManMike]

Re: 1990 Wellcraft Eclipse 196 XL - Restoration Project

Been a while since I posted due to work and weather. Removed the outdrive and brought it home so I could work in the garage. Boat is in a warehouse where I store my offshore boat. Disassembled the outdrive, installed new water pump kit and checked everything. Looked great! Gear lube was clean, gears looked good. Nice to find some good things once in a while!

Was able to remove the motor today and check the transom and motor well stringers today. Everything in this area of the boat appears to be solid, but I'll be able to confirm after I remove the rest of the floor this weekend.

I'll post some pics soon of the work completed in the last few days, but too tired tonight to re-size all of the pics.

I can see the tunnel in regards to the tear out, and looking forward to seeing the light at the end of this long tunnel in order to move forward!

I'm actually enjoying this project, (my wife thinks I have completely lost it!) Pics soon.

 

[tfret]

Re: 1990 Wellcraft Eclipse 196 XL - Restoration Project

Your floor looks familiar. I'm replacing the deck in my ski boat and had all the same issues. I used a recip saw to remove most of the main deck, and when I got up close to the edges I used a 4" hand held grinder with a 4" inch saw blade. I found the saw blade at Harbor Freight. It goes to a tiny little table saw they sell for doing small trim work I guess. I had to mill the arbor (mounting hole) to the same size as my grinder. It works great!. I actually left a couple inches of deck right where the deck meets the walls. That part didn't have any rot and I was afraid I would cut through the bottom of the hull trying to get it out. I plan to install several angled blocks under that "lip" to join the new deck to it, then glass over it all.