How bad is this?
 

My first post! Been lurking here as I am looking for a Seacraft, at last I need help with something I cannot find. I am considering buying a 1979 23' center console. It has been rebuilt, is solid, but the Gel coat on the floor was not restored correctly. Is this coating a big problem? Should I stay away from this boat?

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/e...o/DSCN2947.jpg

Re: How bad is this?
 

First off welcome to CSC kenm,
If you are referring to the splatter coat, there is nothing
wrong with this method. This is the way I did the deck on my 20SF. It is great for non skid and it hides alot of sins.
If the gelcoat is pealing off and cracking the area was not sanded and prepared properly. It is just alot of grinding
to take out the damaged areas and re-do. If the rest of the boat is solid and you can get at a good price, Do-it.

See ya, Ken

Re: How bad is this?
 

I am 99% sure that boat was re-stored by Don Herman of Hermco the Moderator of the Repairs sections if so he may have more info for you.

Do you have more pictures of the boat and by chance does it have a Contender console?

As for it not being done "correctly" perhaps for aesthetics but for function it fine

welcome aboard

Re: How bad is this?
 

THe splatter coat was not standard so it was redone, if Hermco did it should have been correctly, that would be a huge plus if in fact he did the work-find out.

Re: How bad is this?
 

Thanks guys, makes me feel better. Work was done by a local marine mechanic, looks and feels very solid. Any chance the hull is worth around 10k? Is this a contender console?

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/e...o/DSCN2949.jpg

Re: How bad is this?
 

It's had some mods but it is a SeaCraft Console ;)

Re: How bad is this?
 

I like the splatter coat,no need for a shammy! :D

Re: How bad is this?
 

Joey has got a good point easy maintence

I took alook at the other pictures you had on you photo site

The only thing that concerns me (since there are two V6 200hp Mercs on the transom) is how the old splashwell was taken out. That well added some structure and stiffness to the boat so make sure plenty was put back. Thoroughly look at the transom area under the deck, stringers, and how things are tied together.

that is not a Contender console, as chuck points out it is a SeaCraft console.

It is a nice boat, if you pass please share the info with us.

tx
J

Re: How bad is this?
 

It looks to me as if the transom height was raised 5" or so, compared to most of the boats I have seen. My guess is they had to, because 2 of those motors are close to 900 pounds, and would bury the back end of that boat with the stock transom height. It should have knee braces to the bottom of the hull, and tied very strongly to the floor. Have you sea trialed it? how was the balance, and where was the floor compared to the water line at rest. Looking at the rabud scuppers, my guess is the floor is below the waterline when standing still. I would put it in the water, and throw a couple of 5 gal buckets on the deck and see if it drains ok. Does it drain overboard? or into the bilge?

Re: How bad is this?
 

Yes the transom was raised, and gusset brackets were added for the additional weight. He said the floor is right at the waterline at rest, and it does drain overboard. I have an agreement and will seatrial soon. Any other suggestions at the seatrial? Looking forward to crossing over from whaler to Seacraft!

Re: How bad is this?
 

I would make sure it had a full fuel load, and a couple of guys in it, then do the 5 gal bucket test :D. I don't see without a floatation bracket how you can put 900 pounds on the transom, 120 gals of gas in the tank, a couple of guys fishing off the back, and not have the floor in back be below the waterline. I could be wrong :o, let us know what you see/find out.

I would also want to know if the transom was "raised" or "replaced/raised". Without quite a bit of added engineering, and a replaced transom core, that is a lot of weight back there.

The only other thing you might keep in mind, is fuel burn. I don't know where your running to and from, but if your running more than 50 miles in a day, at 4 bucks a gallon (gas+oil), that thing is going to be expensive to run (200 bucks a day). I doubt your going to get much past 1-1.2 mpg with a pair of efi's, but it sure will be a rocket.

Re: How bad is this?
 

Thanks for all your help. JohnB, you were right, the floor is below the waterline and the water drains into the bilge. I am sold on the boat, It is very solid, rebuild was nicly done, but before I put my money down I want a solution. Doing research on this site I have found only one solution- Adding a flotation bracket. Looks like 3k for the bracket, longer cables- 4500total? Would it solve the problem?

The owner offered add a splashwell door like a 23' regulator- I am liking this idea. Would not be absolutly watertight, but would hold back most water if I took a wave over the low transom. What do you think?


I would like to buy this boat, but I dont want to put much money into fixing it up right away. Any suggestions would be appreciated! Ken

Re: How bad is this?
 

Ken,
I was almost positive that floor would be lower than the waterline. I haven't seen a non-bracketed 23' with twin V-6's that didn't sit LOW on the back.

As for the splash well, I had something like that on my boat till I redid the transom. It would keep the flood out but it wasn't dry back there by any stretch.

With that said, I would make sure I had at least 2 bilge pumps on 2 different switches wired directlly to 2 different batteries, and a high water alarm. If the boat is going to spend most of it's life on a trailer, a lift, or dry storage, it's not such a big deal. If the boat is going to spend alot of time tied up to a dock, then I think you might really need to look hard at this.
Also, if it has an in floor live well, these have a habit of overfilling over the floor, and if your drain is into the bilge, instead of over the side, you can sink pretty fast.
As for your estimate on the bracket, I think your a little low unless your planning on doing it yourself. I think the only bracket I would use for something with that much weight would be the Hermco, and they aren't cheap. On a single engine rig, the DnD or Armstrong would probably be ok, but with that much weight, I don't see any other option.

Did you sea trial the boat? How was the balance under way, and how low did it sit at rest?

Re: How bad is this?
 

Thanks, It does have two bilge pumps set up like you said, most of the time it will be on a lift.
The boat felt good under way, at rest it was balanced well. I moved a person around and watched the scuppers, when he went to the bow, the waterline was about even with the scuppers. Fuel tank was 3/4 full, no ice, 3 people. We did hit 50 mph, around 5200 rpm (i think)