Familiar story..question at the end

[erikgreen]

Well, my rebuild project has come to a screeching halt.

For those who have read my posts, you know I'm trying to rework a 1973 Sea Ray SRV220.. it came with a stainless swim platform, a 188 HP Pre-alpha sterndrive, trailer, sink, head, and controls... seemed like a nice, if big, first boat.

I've been working on tearing out the interior, not finding many soft spots in the deck but finding the occasional blackness that made me decide two days ago to tear out the deck. As I kept digging, I kept finding one more thing that wasn't solid.

Tonight, I decided to abandon all optimism and drill test holes in the transom.

I found, you guessed it, the entire transom is wet. Not rotted out, but wet, judging from the wood color I got. I did do one other test (see below).

So here's the question... assuming the drive and motor run (after I put in a fuel tank) would it be insane to just use the boat for a season or so?

Part of the problem is that I bought repair materials and gear already.. I have a ton of stuff I was going to use on the interior, nearly enough material to rebuild the entire boat (about $2500 worth). It'd take most of the summer to save for a newer used boat, even one as cheap as this one ($1400).

I was planning on being on the water this year, and I think that repairing the transom, stringers, and floor would take many months...I'm not at all sure I'm capable of doing that right, and I doubt I have the time for a complete rebuild this year.

I did jump up and down on the sterndrive, and the transom didn't flex (it's got a lot of glass) so I have hopes that it could be used. The stringers are wet in some places and partly rotted in others, but I could reinforce them. Deck repairs with epoxy and glass, a coat of cheap carpet, and some seats would get the boat back to where it was when I bought it... looking solid but with bad bones.

I'm really, really upset at this point... all the time and money spent. Welcome to boat ownership, I guess. If only the previous owner had taken better care of her.

Erik

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Familiar story..question at the end

from what you say..yes you can run this ray for another season..or 8..its really impossible for anyone to tell without pics or looking at it on hand m8..

most all sea rays are famed for bad subfloors and lack of bedding on everything..but..you should be ok..

remember..I say ok as in ..if you feel comfortable with the soundness of your boat..its your call..for 1500 its a 2 season no expense toy...2-5 season..plan on putting in some cash and time...

YD.

 

[Robj]

Re: Familiar story..question at the end

Dry out the transom, drill holes and inject with git rot or some other penetrating epoxy. If it is not rotten, that may be a adequate fix. With regards to your stringers, and most likely your engine mount, floors, I would fix it right, cut them out and replace them. I am doing the same thing. Get to work you still have a few months before summer.

Rob.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Familiar story..question at the end

i agree, use it then pass the problem on. make it usable, but save the material for the next one.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Familiar story..question at the end

I think what I'm gonna do is fix the stringers... more or less the right way since I've got them exposed anyway. I need to practice with fiberglass regardless

I'll leave the transom as-is... apart from the drilled cores it's showing no signs of wetness at all, and the holes I drilled aren't dripping.. the fiberglass is thick there. If I can fix the stringers, put in a floor and the fuel tank (plastic tank) and make the boat useable, I'll keep my eyes open for a replacement... or if I get too attached to the boat this year, maybe I'll attempt a transom re-build in the fall.

At any rate, I'll have the materials to work on another boat while I'm using this one, so maybe if a fixer-upper with no rot comes along...

Erik

 

[Indymike]

Re: Familiar story..question at the end

If you do the sole and stringers you have the hard part whipped. Do the transom next fall and winter. I think those old Sea Rays are worth saving. Beautiful boats.

 

[louc]

Re: Familiar story..question at the end

Do you have a garage that you can work in that can be heated in the winter? You really can't do glass work unless you are in more moderate temps, so doing it in winter is tough without a garage. I had to do the stringers and floor on my 88 Four Winns. What a pain that job is. You can do either plan mentioned, but if you do a patch job you will either have to get back in it, or sell it before it goes completely, and bear in mind that boats that old that need work are almost impossible to sell. If you do it all the right way, and are prepared to keep it, the investment may be worth it. It's a big job no doubt. You have to keep that boat for years for it to be anywhere worth the time you will put in.
I would never buy another old boat after this expereince. The next one will be at most a couple of years old. Doing glass work is not for everyone.

 

[croSSed]

Re: Familiar story..question at the end

I like the idea of drying out the transom wood. I wouldn't use Git Rot though. Do a Google search of The Rot Doctor. They have a product that I think is the ticket. What someone said above about if you can do the sole and the stringers, then the transom is a piece of cake, that is right on the mark. Been there, done that, have the T-shirt. d

TG