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Stripping the Marquis
I decided that since I found wood rot and a cracked manifold on the
Marquis that maybe I should do a bit more investigating. Oh the engine is fine, but I have noticed that the aluminum pillars which hold the seats were loose on the floor. doing some investigating, the previous owners had used large lag screws and had drilled small holes in the plywood and ran the bolts in. Three of the five on one seat were loose and when I pulled them out they were rusty which made the seat totally unstable. Then I thought that I should get rid of the pillars and build boxes for the seats, also providing storage room for tools, spare prop, etc. Then I got to thinking that those rusty bolts are indicators of possible problems with the floor underneath. I have a very small access to the steel fuel tank which is mounted under the floor and I do have access to the sending unit as well as the anti-siphon valve, but the rubber hose going to the fuel pump is getting cracks in it, and I can't have that. So, my carpenter buddy and I are deciding to rip out the floor and sides for a total re-do. I want to check to see the validity of the fuel tank for rust etc. Plus add an extra fuel tank for longer cruising range instead of strapping a spare tank onto the swim platform as originally planned. This also gives a chance to check out the stringers and investigate for other wood rot and replace if necessary. I've already removed the back panel and the transom's integrity is fine. No rot there. Saturday I went to the a very reputable boat shop; the best in the area- which is about 30 mi away, and was able to talk with a mechanic who has worked there for about 20+ years. Yep, he's just about seen it all. I told him about the cracked manifold which had been psuedo- repaired with JB weld and he said to bring the manifold in and they could inspect it, then weld it. I asked if it would hold, and they said they've had boats out for better than 10 years with no failure to their repairs, and it would be at a fraction of the cost of a new one and they would also inspect the risers as well. But if the manifold[s] were too far gone (and there is that chance) they would install new ones for about the same price as what I could get the parts from the ebay stores and do it myself. I thought that was a pretty good deal. I've removed the bent up bow railing which is of no concern to me. While I was at the marina, I got a healthy can of marine epoxy which they use, and will start in on filling holes where I pulled the railing off and work on the nicks in the hull. when I'm done sanding and prepping the necessary spots, I'll take it to them to apply gel coat where necessary. I plan on getting rid of the antique depth finder and the Ray Jefferson radio and update/replace anything else that needs be while I have the boat stripped down. I could go on about my project but Jimmy the carpenter and I are going to lay out a floor plan and add conveniences to fit instead of just throwing them in and tying them down. Well, there will be no river trip for the wife and myself this year, but- duty now for the future. |
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