Transom Inspection?

[hskerprid]

Hi all, New here and I don't know diddily about boats. I usually restore muscle cars but I'am venturing into the water so to speak.

I just picked up an '89 Bayliner Capri with the L-Drive.It has an 85 horse. I guess my main question is concerning the transom and other wooden supports. The floor has many soft spots. It was kept outdoors uncovered to the elements so I have my work cut out for me.

Anyway, I know the transom is in the aft section of the boat but I dont see any wood. It appears that the entire hull is fiberglass. Is there wood to support the drive train? I have engine issues as well so I guess it's off to the engine section.
I only gave $500 for it and itlooks like most of the problems are cosmetic....I hope

 

[BigLee324]

Re: Transom Inspection?

check out this tread , friscoboater rebuilds a a simularily built boat , the wood is there, it is just glassed over or gel-ed over

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=454460

I could be wrong, not a bayliner expert, but there is plenty of help here, you'll get the right answer.

 

[BWT]

Re: Transom Inspection?

I think you may have a bit of work ahead of you There is wood encapsulated between the fiberglass skins on the transom; (generally speaking there are 2 laminated pieces of 3/4" ply sandwiched between the fiberglass). More than likely you will have issues with the stringers (underneath the floor) as well. Poke around on the forum here and you will find a ton of info! When you get started be ready to post pics with your Q's cause that will be the first thing we will be asking for. Good luck!

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Transom Inspection?

Welcome to the iBoats Dry Dock!!!

Pics will certainly help us to help you. It is impossible for us to SEE what you see without them. My signature has a link on how to post em. Based on your written descriptions so far I'm afraid your issues will be more than cosmetic. A Soft deck usually mean stringer issues below. Possibly saturaed foam as well. You will need to remove the deck to see what lies below and you will need to take core samples of the transom, stringers and bulkheads to determine their condition. First order of business is to remove the deck and post some pics. What MFG power train does she have?

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Transom Inspection?

The soft deck is not a good thing. Read my Sea ray thread, and it will help you get an idea.

 

[hskerprid]

Re: Transom Inspection?

Thanks for the replies guys. I haven't begun to tear up the deck up yet. I will post pix when I do. I can't get spark to the plugs. I can't seem to post on the engine section of the board.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Transom Inspection?

Why? R U getting some sort of an error message?

 

[hskerprid]

Re: Transom Inspection?

Why? R U getting some sort of an error message?

I get an error message but when I go back and tried to post a new topic in a different thread it allowed me too. So who knows. I don't know which forum thread to post in because I don't know what make the drive train is, I know it's an i/o L-drive and that's about it.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Transom Inspection?

You just bought yourself a 500.00 boat.. That's cool. But, always remember what you paid for it because it will make it easier to justify the amount of time you're going to be spending fixing it.

Bayliners aren't a top of the line boat and they don't like being neglected so you probably have some serious problems to attend to before she's ready for the water.

That being said, they are great project boats that can be turned into a top of the line boat. It's a lot of work but extremely gratifying.

Have fun.. When it comes to glass work look up some of the stuff that Oops has posted.

Enjoy

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Transom Inspection?

I get an error message but when I go back and tried to post a new topic in a different thread it allowed me too. So who knows. I don't know which forum thread to post in because I don't know what make the drive train is, I know it's an i/o L-drive and that's about it.

So, there are NO markings on the Valve covers or on the Outdrive anywhere that tells you who the MFG is. No stickers, Stampings Nothing??? That seems very odd to me. You REALLY have to post some pics.

You should DEFINETLY read this

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=158086

 

[sschefer]

Re: Transom Inspection?

Woodonglass, if it's a Bayliner its a Merc. Both are owned by Brunswick.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Transom Inspection?

OK, well at least it's not an OMC

 

[RIDEPATE]

Re: Transom Inspection?

OK, well at least it's not an OMC

Wow, what kind of comment is that????

I'm just sayin.................

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Transom Inspection?

Some OMC parts can be hard to find and lots of marine mechanics don't like to work on em any more.

 

[RIDEPATE]

Re: Transom Inspection?

Some OMC parts can be hard to find and lots of marine mechanics don't like to work on em any more.

Understood, just sounded like you were "Hate'in"..........The aftermarket is catch'in-up, and I'm the mechanic. Not sure why they would'nt want to work on one tho, I find them easyier than a crusier to work on myself.

 

[DJ]

Re: Transom Inspection?

The other posts gave you great advice regarding how transoms are built, etc. Also, they are accurate regarding the issues you may have with the deck (floor).

One thing nobody brought up is that the "L" Drive is not so good. I believe they were only made for two years and very few at that. It was a Force engine and some Merc. parts configured in a VERY unique way. If you can get it to run, more power to you.

The engine parts won't be an issue but the outdrive parts are mostly non existant. Worse than an OMC.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Transom Inspection?

Understood, just sounded like you were "Hate'in"..........The aftermarket is catch'in-up, and I'm the mechanic. Not sure why they would'nt want to work on one tho, I find them easyier than a crusier to work on myself.

Being a mechanic you KNOW it's hard to work on em if you can't find the parts.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Transom Inspection?

I only gave $500 for it and it looks like most of the problems are cosmetic....I hope

Sorry to say this hskerprid .. but your problems are more than cosmetic as suggested from other posts.

You need to ask yourself a few questions before you start on this.

1. Do you have the time and the money to perform a full blown restoration ( stringers/transom/floor ).
2. Do you have an acceptable place to do the job ( grinding/glassing/storage for the deck etc. ).
3. Do you have the appropriate tools ( grinder,saws etc. ).
4. Do you have any health problems ( Some people that Start there resto stop almost right away due to the affects of the glass/resin on there health )
5. Again with the $$.. you should figure how much is the max amount before you start. If a few thousand bucks is out of the question..then you might be better off parting with it now before you lower the value by starting to rip it apart.

You should be taking some core samples of the transom and stringers ( a 1/4" drill bit into the wood to inspect the shavings is a good idea ).

Pictures will help determine over all status of the boat..and more information from you will help too .

YD.

 

[hskerprid]

Re: Transom Inspection?

On the head side where the spark plugs are there is a US Marine sticker and on the back of the hull above the prop is a "Force" emblem. I see where there is a Force engine company?? or is it US Marine?
I'm beginning to think that I might be in over my head a little. I think it may have been easier restoring my GTO.
I do have all the tools necessary but I only have a double garage and the wife gets pissy if her Jeep has to sit outside. I have never worked with fiberglass but the hull seems to be in good shape to these untrained eyes.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Transom Inspection?

The other posts gave you great advice regarding how transoms are built, etc. Also, they are accurate regarding the issues you may have with the deck (floor).

One thing nobody brought up is that the "L" Drive is not so good. I believe they were only made for two years and very few at that. It was a Force engine and some Merc. parts configured in a VERY unique way. If you can get it to run, more power to you.

The engine parts won't be an issue but the outdrive parts are mostly non existant. Worse than an OMC.

As DJ has stated this is a (Mercury FORCE) motor but the outdrive is KINDA RARE and the parts are almost non existant. You might want to reconsider your options.