Refurbishing a sunk 23 Center Console

[thedink9]

I just took possession of a '85 23 SC CC, that went under for 12 hours. I'm trying to organize my game plan for going through the entire boat.
There is also a soft floor section approx. 2x4' next to the console that I intend to repair. This will involve removing the TTop and console to do it right!

While it's apart The fuek tank will be inspected / replaced if necessary and all wiring and systems replaced, as well. Based upon everyone's experience what else should I consider doing, looking into?
I plan on keeping this boat for a long time and have a bracket and full transom project in mind as well, but that may be down the road a year or so.
Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks Rich

[FELLOW-SHIP]

HA DINK
Looks like you could have a nice boat there, not that old yet, so you might not have too much to do on it. It’s hard to say what you will need to do, but a good inspection is defiantly in order. I might be concerned about all the electrical parts and wiring on this one since it sank. If salt water gets into things you could have some real frustrating times figuring out what’s happening like gages, switches, keys, wiring harnesses, pumps and what ever. I would first try spraying everything off with fresh water get dry and then spray with a corrosion x spray. I don’t know if you have a engine on her but if you do that might need quick professional help asap.
Good luck
FellowShip

[warthog5]

I would consider a total rewire in the works.

[thedink9]

Fellow-ship

I'm going into this expecting to replace all electrical parts.
I'm not so sure about the tank; as a minimum I will pull the covers, drain the fuel into a water separator filter
and go from there.

I'm assuming the hydraulic steering system is Ok as it is holding the oil. While all the hatches are off can you think of anything else I should be checking?

Rich

[Ed]

Thedink-

Definitely replace all wiring, check flotation foam (if soaking wet....dig out and replace). Regarding your tank....it might be fine once you flush it out....but I would personally replace it now while you're doing all of this work. Just imagine what a pain in the arse it will be to have to remove the console and all that pretty wiring....2-3 years down the road when the tank starts leaking.

-Ed-

[Scott]

Welcome Dink

Honestly …. I personally would strip the hull and start fresh ….. There are too many things that can show up later in a boat that has sunk as Ed alluded to …..And your tank is approaching 20 years anyway and you say your keeping her …. If you do keep the tank I would have it cleaned (inside) and that’s not an inexpensive proposition. [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

Water in the stringers would be a major concern (cracked fiberglass or separation from the hull as a result of freeze/ thaw cycles …a northeast issue)

Wiring replaced without a doubt

If there was an engine to be salvaged…. That should have been addressed immediately …..leaving it without attention after the boat was raised …Salt, air and an engine ….not good

Start from the bilge up ….that way you know exactly what you have

As it is most of us here are doing complete restorations anyway ….. Regardless if it went under or not [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Oh yeah ...something like the hydraulic steering , if working , should be fine… just get the salt off

[strick]

Agree with what Scott said.

Strick

[thedink9]

Scott, Ed & Company

Thanks for your feedback. Once it starts getting over 30 I'll begin to open her up and start looking at what I really have.

I didn't consider the stringers or the foam soaking up water and don't know how to check this properly. Suggestions anyone?

Scott: Re: the engines, they were serviced immediately after they went down but I'll have someone go through them in a week or two .

If they can be saved, that would be home run as I went into this project thinking they were scrap.

[Scott]

Sounds like you're going at this in the right frame of mind .... In as much that you’re expecting the worst i.e. motors .. hoping for the best [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

How did the boat sink ???

Stringers .... Once the Fuel tank is out go as low as you can on the stringer side wall and drill some inspection holes .... then see what comes out ..That’s the least invasive way I can think of ..Ideally you would like to see inside the stringer ..but that means the deck comes up .... hopefully that’s not the case . Also wait till its warm in case there is frozen water in there. If its wet then I would try the “BW vacuum trick” and see what you can extract from the foam ….. but cross that bridge when you get to it

Careful when drilling into the stringer as it sits on the inboard most lifting strake ...you don’t want to drill through the hull...You can see what I mean in the picture one strake exposed the other is not …… put the holes as low as you can drill in parallel to the hull bottom.

[Scott]

Dink
If you like PM me your email address and I can email you the picture .... I don’t know why it is doing this .... I saw it there last night .... now its missing

Can anyone see it ?? [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

I've noticed the same with the picture under my name .... Its there sometimes ...gone others [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

I'm thinking the picture host is having trouble.