1987 Z33 help
 

1987 Z33 twin 465 mercs. - pristine classic or maybe not.

I went to charge the batteries today, lifted the engine hatch and the bolts that hold the hydraulic ram came free from the center stringer. I always thought that their was a solid 9 x12 beam that ran from the transom to the bow. is that not the case? Did my beam rot and completely disappear.

it might well be ! once beyond rot, there is dust! test the holes with a screwdriver, you should find out!
let us know the result.. and good luck!

Thanks for the reply!

Do you know anyone who has taken on the task of replacing that stringer? That has got to cost more than the boat is worth.

Salvage?

..

Ugh!

Jeff, Thanks for the reply!

After cutting a 4 x 12 inspection hole on top of what used to be a 9x12 stringer it's clear the stringer is history, looks like paper in there. None of the lateral stringers appear to have been effected and hopefully the rot hasn't migrated into the transom. From what i can tell this 9x12 is confined to the engine compartment from transom to gas tank.

I'll be doing an exploratory this afternoon and can send pics.

This seems to be a common problem so I know I'm not the first faced w/ this problem although nowhere can I find any information and so far zero advice. Do I replace w/ wood? Do I fill the cavity w/ Sea Cast or similar? What a pro going to charge once the engine compartment is clean and clear?

I know it's an old boat but the engines and out drives are fresh and it ran great although clearly not safe. I'd love to keep this boat since it's a classic and I've meticulously restored everything to this point.

I'd be lucky to part it out and get 12K if I incl. the powder coated triple axle trailer. I'd rather put 10 into it and keep it. I need sound advice from a boater. Does 10k sound reasonable?

Stringer Replacement
 

Stew Here.
I bought a 1989 Z29 back in 1996.
Marine survey said it was mint.
Barely got it off the trailer and it was sinking!
Lesson learned. Anyway, among other things the transom and stringers were rotten and had to be replaced. We did a total deck off restoration replacing every system in the boat. IMO the only way to do this is strip the engine compartment and replace the stringer. In that way you can also check everything else. It will be worth it. They are a really fun boat. and still very good looking.
Back then, to replace the transom, and all the stringers up to the helm was $12,000.
We ran the boat hard in poker runs after that on the St Lawrence and it was nice knowing that everything was new and solid.

Hi. I just did my '88 Z33 last year. It can be done. Full transom and main stringer - also redid those sponsons with new foam and cleaned up the rigging. Looks great now and am very pleased.

I know it's not worth what I have in it - but I also know what it is and no longer worry. You'll have to decide what's right for you.

Thanks for the info. I'm planning on pulling the twins incl trans, clear all lateral stringers and center stringer. Likely the bulkhead behind the seats to access stringers under there as well. The bulkhead is solid and I hope the rot stops prior to the transom. I expect the worst. if I do all removal and clean up hopefully I can get the stringers and glass for 12K. I'm glad to see someone else has done this work too!

That's exactly what I wanted to hear. Thanks for the support!