'76 SeaCraft Sceptre

[Scott]

Novice one Welcome!!

A couple of other things to check on. The transom around the sterndrives is a great place for rot.... I'd look around them for soft spots.

Also your fuel tank, if original, is 26 years old and you may want to replace that.

The teak is cosmetic and will come back real easy. The hull could be wet sanded then compounded to get the gloss back. I did that just because I couldnt stand looking at the faded hull .... even though at some point it will get paint/ Gel coat ....

Yes Trayder I said Gel Coat [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Is this going to be a project boat or is it more or less Turn key???

[Nick Denny]

Thanks for the Welcome!! It's great to see the passion most here share for the sea and their boats. Hopefully this will be more turn-key than a restoration project if I go ahead and buy it. I know it's all original so I figured the gas tank would have to be replaced...and thanks for the mention around the stern drives. Does anyone have any info about those 145hp 4cyl Chevy engines? With the exception of some slight modifications I would like to use the boat as is, if possible.I do know that it has been sitting on a trailer for the past 2 years and has not been in the water. Will that factor make it more difficult to determine rot? And just what is the best way to identify rot if everything seems normal? Just thinking ahead...If I took the engines out and put a Hermco platform on the transom to hang a couple of outboards, is there any specific formula to placing an auxillary gas tank where the engines were? Would the tank best be placed has far midships as possible to compensate for the added weight that would now be off the transom? Maybe I'm getting way ahead of myself...just thoughts that come to mind. By the way...I really like this site...to see those who are passionate about their boats and usage. Thanks again.

[PressureDrop]

after pulling apart my boat ive learned allot about inspecting boats, and determining the condition of fiberglass cored materials. im one of the unfortunate ones to have a rotted transom, and can give you this info as far as examining it. you will not be able too tell the condition of the core from the outside skin (unless it sounds very hollow upon tapping), it is too thick. get acess to the inside skin and push it hard!, if it gives, you have rot, if not you should be okey. chances are there will be some trouble around the outdrives, however theres not as much torque on the tranny so its not that much of a problem, good luck!