1979 23ft Sceptre Rebuild

[northwest]

Ok thanks for the info. There is no water coming out of any of the test holes. The foam I pulled out in the bottom one-inch of the stringers (where I drilled test holes) is damp in places- like if you push on it with your finger you can see water seeping. The foam from about one inch and up to the top of the stringer is dry. Maybe I dont need to replace the foam...

[Capt Chuck]

Remember, the glass is structural, not the foam. Try to dry them out. You can fill in / glass over weep holes. Go on to deck/ hatch repairs or other fixes for now. Give a few days to dry out then assess the dampness with a moisture meter.

[northwest]

Ok so Im back on this thing. Question- What was used to secure the floor to the stringers originally? Appears to be a pink putty-like substance.

[CoreyTrx]

The floor is bonded to the stringers with just the putty you see.

[northwest]

Since the floor is getting rebuilt I was thinking about possibly raising the floor. Especially since there will be an outboard and bracket going on, with weight cantilevered farther behind the transom, possibly causing the stern to sit lower in the water than before. If I was to raise the floor, could I install the new sole on top of the existing "tabs" that I left from cutting out the old one... Could get 3/4+ higher this way. I would also add the same height to the stringers (height of 3/4 inch plywood old floor).

[dginge]

Greetings guys
I will be following this boat progress very closely bc selfishly it’s what I own. Ha. This is exactly what was done to my boat to the T. I do have a few questions so far.
1) I didn’t think that these boats had a coffin box that the tank sat in. This one looks like it did before you removed it. Did you notice if it had a factory drain hole in it for unwanted water or fuel to get out?
2) capt chuck, what are you referring to about the PVC in center stringer. I’m interested about that.

I would definitely raise the floor and put drains out the side. That’s what mine has and it works pretty good but I leave mine plugged until I get a rain storm or need to drain a cooler.


Keep up the good work. Sorry I’m not much help.

Thanks

Originally Posted by Capt Chuck

Leave the dry ones alone. You might be able to dry out the wet without removing. Drill some limber holes and let it wick out. The center is PVC not structural so leave it alone.

[kmoose]

I would go more than 3/4 on the deck. Add an additional 3/4 space to the existing deck lip with strips of nidacore or coosa. And build the stringers up to that height. You’ll never regret doing it. I have 3” oval side scuppers and with 3 big men standing in the back along with a 300 OB on a 30 inch bracket, zero water comes in.

[northwest]

kmoose, would you mind sending me a few pics of the interior layout of your boat? Maybe they are here on the forum but I couldn't find them.

The fuel tank was not in a coffin box. It was however mechanically fastened and encapsulated in foam. Not sure if this was original or not? Tank looks to be original.

[abl1111]

Are there any really detailed pix/ direction of a raising-of-the-floor, or a straight-up floor job ?

[dginge]

An progress? Enjoying these pictures