my first boat and a good project i think... 1988 chris craft

[m_87]

hey all i have been reading and love iboats very helpfull!

now i got an 1988 chriscraft with a 4.3 and alfa one the engine was frozen the previous owner said he had it runing a year ago got it home and got the engine running with little work. (starter some atf mixed with acetone freed the engine and some silonoid work) replaced the propshaft seals and also the water inpeller kit. was pulling up the carpet and found 4 small soft spots see pictures tow right in front of the engine and two more one under the steering wheel and one under the other side glove box. i am still happpy i bought the boat as i paid 300 but was woundering what i need to do?? replace the floor? the rest of it is verry sound i have beat around with a mallet and it bounces right back off.. just those 4 smaller spots..

 

[m_87]

Re: my first boat and a good project i think... 1988 chris craft

more pictures

 

[m_87]

Re: my first boat and a good project i think... 1988 chris craft

was woundering if i foamed in the holes sealed them off with fiberglass then built another deck ontop with treated plywood and fiberglassed over that if it wouild be ok?? again i have never done anything like this.. so any advise is GREAT and maybe my idea is a horrible idea. but thats why i came on here for a little help from the wise.. thanks again

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: my first boat and a good project i think... 1988 chris craft

Welcome to iBoats! Here's the deal. Boat is 22 years old. Hard to know how it has been treated over the years. Those soft spots could be isolated or could be indicators that there are more serious problems below decks. Your stringers, motor mounts and transom could have rotting problems as well. If it were mine, I would be doing more investigating by getting access to the stringers, motor mounts and transom and drilling exploratory holes to see if i was getting light tan dry shavings or dark wet shavings. If you like the boat and want to keep her and don't mind investing some bucks to restore her now would be the time to "Git er dun".

I'm just sayin...

 

[m_87]

Re: my first boat and a good project i think... 1988 chris craft

i do agree with you and my heart tells me things that my wallet wont allow. i will drill some holes like you say i have easy access to the engine mounts as you may have seen in the pictures will take pictures of what i get and post them.. where should i drill? how big? i was thinking not close to the engine mounts and maybe 3/8"? also what do i do if its light and dry? fill the drilled hole with foam check other spots fill them back if they check out and do my 1st idea? i was looking at some foam under the holes by the engine and the foam is dry and looks good.

here is the thing the boat is a good boat i am only 21 and would like to get it in decent shape for around 3-4 years then maybe when i am earning better money tear it up again and do it all new.. (worst case) or if its still sound keep taken her out!. i know that sounds stupid but why not stick to what my budget will allow i like projects anyways..


however if the drill shavings come out rotten i will probably just let it drag out and do a little at a time till its all done right.


thank you very much for your knowledge and pleas follow this thread and let me know what you think of the drill shavings.

 

[m_87]

Re: my first boat and a good project i think... 1988 chris craft

Welcome to iBoats! Here's the deal. Boat is 22 years old. Hard to know how it has been treated over the years. Those soft spots could be isolated or could be indicators that there are more serious problems below decks. Your stringers, motor mounts and transom could have rotting problems as well. If it were mine, I would be doing more investigating by getting access to the stringers, motor mounts and transom and drilling exploratory holes to see if i was getting light tan dry shavings or dark wet shavings. If you like the boat and want to keep her and don't mind investing some bucks to restore her now would be the time to "Git er dun".

I'm just sayin...

Your stringers, motor mounts and transom. stringers run front to back and trasnom left to right correct??

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: my first boat and a good project i think... 1988 chris craft

Stringers run from from to back and they are what the deck mounts to. Transom is what the Outdrive mounts to basically the entire back end of the boat. Use a 3/8 inch drill bit drill down as low as you can get. Do NOT drill all the way thru the transom. Do NOT use foamto fill the holes. If you get DRY shavings use 3M 5200 to fill the holes. If you get WET shavings then...
You have some decisions to make. Safety is your #1 Concern. Wet stringers and transom means rot and weakness. It also means a lot of work and some expense. What kind of engine is it? Do you have all of the rest of the parts for the outdrive? How much money are you anticipating putting into this project? Not trying to discourage you but trying to get you to understand what all is involved.

I'm just sayin...

 

[m_87]

Re: my first boat and a good project i think... 1988 chris craft

Stringers run from from to back and they are what the deck mounts to. Transom is what the Outdrive mounts to basically the entire back end of the boat. Use a 3/8 inch drill bit drill down as low as you can get. Do NOT drill all the way thru the transom. Do NOT use foamto fill the holes. If you get DRY shavings use 3M 5200 to fill the holes. If you get WET shavings then...
You have some decisions to make. Safety is your #1 Concern. Wet stringers and transom means rot and weakness. It also means a lot of work and some expense. What kind of engine is it? Do you have all of the rest of the parts for the outdrive? How much money are you anticipating putting into this project? Not trying to discourage you but trying to get you to understand what all is involved.

I'm just sayin...

ok will do. the engine is a 4.3 gm v6 and i do have the lower unit for the outdrive just wainting for my waterimpeller to come in and put it back on the boat.

3m 5200 i can get that online somewhere or Home dopot? i dont know what that is? will research it real fast thanks

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: my first boat and a good project i think... 1988 chris craft

HD sells 3m5200 in smaller tubes.

Boats tend to rot from the inside out (it's cancer to the wood) and is you deck over old decking you are asking for trouble..... BIG future trouble.

 

[m_87]

Re: my first boat and a good project i think... 1988 chris craft

up date drilled the holes came out kinda wet on one side and really wet on the other so think about ditching the boat and taking the engine and drive and finding a doner boat to put them in.. the engine and drive are in great shape! started the engine yesterday and it purs like a kitten great throtle response the engine and drive are the reasons i bought the boats.. and the trailer is good..

 

[m_87]

Re: my first boat and a good project i think... 1988 chris craft

changed my mind been doing research on others projects on iboats and seen some youtube vids decided that i am going to seperate the top form the bottom then remove everthing down to the hull then rebuild the boat.. am very excited and know i will love the boat more when i am done.. this may take a year tho.. hope th get the hull and deck done by december then after tax returns do carpet and seats..

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: my first boat and a good project i think... 1988 chris craft

Now Yer talkin. Post some pics as you progress and don't be afraid to ask questions. We'll all be here to help you along the way. You can do it all in stages as you get the money and the time. Lot's of guys have taken over two years to complete their projects so don't worry bout it. Take your time and do it RIGHT! You'll have a boat that is BETTER that it was from the factory and will last for Years.
Check out USComposites.com for your materials. Ext. Grade PLy wood is plenty good for your deck, transom and stringers, PL adhesive will sticke em Rustoleum, Pettit EasyPoxy or Interlux are names to consider for Paint products. Do your research and keep readin the forum

Time, Money and Beer and you can do anything

I'm just sayin...

 

[m_87]

Re: my first boat and a good project i think... 1988 chris craft

Now Yer talkin. Post some pics as you progress and don't be afraid to ask questions. We'll all be here to help you along the way. You can do it all in stages as you get the money and the time. Lot's of guys have taken over two years to complete their projects so don't worry bout it. Take your time and do it RIGHT! You'll have a boat that is BETTER that it was from the factory and will last for Years.
Check out USComposites.com for your materials. Ext. Grade PLy wood is plenty good for your deck, transom and stringers, PL adhesive will sticke em Rustoleum, Pettit EasyPoxy or Interlux are names to consider for Paint products. Do your research and keep readin the forum

Time, Money and Beer and you can do anything

I'm just sayin...

thanks for your help woodonglass! this project will start probably in about two months i want to put the lower unit on the drive and take it out a few times make sure the engine is all running right befor i do the whole boat if i make an oil mess with the engine i want it to be with the old stuff.

- so plan.. maybe put some plywood ontop the holes temporily so prevent maybe getting a foot to fall in a hole

-put the lower unit on the drive

-take it out a few times make sure the engine and outdrive are top notch

-come October take the drive back off and the engine out..

-tear up the deck and strip the hull clean and go from there



Also i should post my new pictures of progress on this thread not start a new one right? even if i dont post anything for a month?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: my first boat and a good project i think... 1988 chris craft

Yep, keep it all together. Word of Caution. With a bad transom you KNOW you are taking a chance that you COULD have a catastrophic failure in the middle of the lake and the boat could sink!!!!!! There is a LOT of torque placed on the back of your boat with that engine and outdrive. If the stringers are rotten there is a VERY GOOD chance that the transom is too. You should give the out drive some good tugs up and down and check for any flexing in the transom. If you get some then you should be VERY WARY of taking that boat on the Water. SAFETY should come FIRST.

I'm just sayin...

 

[m_87]

Re: my first boat and a good project i think... 1988 chris craft

I AGREE with you on that one! i did stand on the upper unit of the drive and it was solid! i also tired jerking it left and right and up and down i think the transom is one thing that is sold and not rotten i was looking at it earlier and it looks great. i am not worried about taking on water or the transom being rotten..

 

[m_87]

Re: my first boat and a good project i think... 1988 chris craft

if anybody has done a job close to this one and has an idea of a budget they had or how much they spent i would love to hear trying to get an idea of how much its all going to cost. i should just call around and look online and get a budget as close as i can. thanks

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: my first boat and a good project i think... 1988 chris craft

Make a list of EVERYTHING you are going to do and POST it. I'm sure we can come close on giving you an estimate.

I'm just sayin...

 

[Stampeder]

Re: my first boat and a good project i think... 1988 chris craft

m 87:

Great looking boat, and at a great price. I paid $800 for my 87 Sea Ray and I thought I made out well.
My project has been going on and off for three years now so don't feel bad about the time it takes. As my friend says "It is what it is".
I totally agree with woodonglass, safety first. I'd postpone the water test in favour of checking the boat out real well and getting everything set for the resto. Just think of the excitement and joy you will have on her relaunch and christening. Once in the water you will have years of enjoyment and not have to think about taking her out of the water for the resto work. I can hardly wait to get mine completed.
Good luck and post those pictures.

Cheers.
Glenn.

 

[m_87]

Re: my first boat and a good project i think... 1988 chris craft

i plan on building everthing the engine mounts the stringers the deck re foam everthing thought about putting a few water tanks with pumps for added weight below the deck as this will be a ski boat will look at the transom when i get the engine and drive off but i got on it and bounced up and down and it didnt budge i think it is good to go. carpet while the top is off build a new engine cover then have someone else build the seats that is one thing i dont want to do.

no paint i polished a few different areas and they look like new.

 

[m_87]

Re: my first boat and a good project i think... 1988 chris craft

so i was looking at resins would this be what i want?

http://uscomposites.com/polyesters.html

and how much will it cover i was thinking i need the 5 gal at least I have seen people posting that the cloth soaks up rasin..


my boat is around 14 yd sq

then for the fiberglass cloth i was going to get the 10oz E Glass in a 50" with about 75sq yrds

http://www.uscomposites.com/cloth.html

i was thinking 3 layers of glass? does that sound good or should i put more?