New used boat...new problems?

[reils_99]

I just purchased a 1988 Nitro 17' ski boat with a 115 "Tower of power"...to pull the kids around the lake. The exterior is in great shape, motor needs a little TLC but the interior is solid ...or so I thought.

The think the floor is solid...I cannot find any soft spots (and I'm a big guy). However, while vinyl on the seats and around the boat are in perfect condition, the plywood in the seats are waterlogged and beginning to rot.

I can't figure out why the floor is solid...but the seats need new plywood.

Any ideas? It doesn't make sense to me...unless the water was able to get into the seats....then trapped by the plastic and vinyl.

I have already taken apart the rear seat...the vinyl and foam are in good condition.
I thought it was odd that the staples were rusty...why was steel used in boat upholstery (why not stainless steel). Plus there were two different types of screws in the pedestals. (a couple of rusty wood screws...but a couple of stainless machine screws into the anchors too).

The owner says the only work done on the boat has been on the engine...but now I am wondering if the interior has been redone.

Any tips or ideas how I can check?

I'm happy with our find, can't wait to get out on the water...this is going to be the longest winter.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New used boat...new problems?

Any ideas? It doesn't make sense to me...unless the water was able to get into the seats....then trapped by the plastic and vinyl.

That would be my guess, and it isn't particularly uncommon. If the upholstery is good then I'd rebuild them with PT ply.

A lot of boat seats aren't too well made. Even the new seats I put in my boat 5 years ago have some rust on some of the staples.

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: New used boat...new problems?

yea same thing happened on my 18' wellcraft....I think the water gets into the crack between the seat and the back and runs up the wood from there....if your seats are like mine it was easy to pop all the staples, pull off the vinyl and foam....use the old wood pieces as a template and cut yourself some new ones.....put the foam and vinyl back with a good staple gun and ss or monel staples and you are good to go.

 

[Steve Mahler]

Re: New used boat...new problems?

Sometimes manufacturers were pretty good about throwing a thin layer of glass over the floor, making it seem more solid. I have had this happen where the floor felt OK, but when I cut test holes - everything under (stringers etc) was completely gone.