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Enticer Rot Inquiry (long)

H

Hess

New member
Checkmate Experts,
Been checking out this site for a while and really like it. I was told by a friend a few weeks ago about an old Checkmate for sale and finally got to go check it out this past weekend (it’s 160 miles away). Really liked what I saw. A blue and silver 1982 Enticer with a Merc 90 hp. Hull looks in REAL GOOD shape but needs oxidation removal and polishing. BUT, then we got under the water-covered PLASTIC TARP and found a lot of leaves, dirt, etc. Friend got in and jumped up and down all over the floor, seemed very solid and the carpet looked like it could be cleaned up good. But again, as he walked onto the bow cushion it collapsed in completely from the rot. Then, after talking to the owner (who I believe knows almost nothing about boats) he said he would get the battery charged so we could go for a ride “tomorrow”. Tomorrow came and in having the rear bench seat off, the area under the seat was badly rotten also. The rear bench seemed to be rebuilt with new wood. Battery didn’t hold a charge, so no ride, no engine start, and rot to worry about. The owner pretty much said he would sell it for the value of the trailer at this point because he needs to move it off his relative’s property before winter storage this year.

So I ask you guys, what do you think of all this? If I could get away with replacing the floor only… I’m in and would eventually get bigger motor. If it’s the floor, the transom, the stringers, and everything else wood… I think I’ve got to walk away from this project at this time in my life.

Pounding on the transom seemed solid (?). It almost seems like the floor must have been replaced, but why wouldn’t they have replaced the “floor” under the back bench??? You think there’s any chance this boat isn’t rotten 100%? He had the plug in while it was sitting on the trailer (a bad move if you ask me). I pulled it an virtually no water came out. I’m left wondering if this thing is rotting out due to the poor “storage” conditions and not from constant in the water soaking. Anyone have any recommendations on determining more rot? The only way I know of is to “dig-in”… I don’t think this guy would like that before I buy it!

Thanks for any thoughts on this. I’m really struggling with what to do on this one.

Hess
 
Checkmate Experts,
Been checking out this site for a while and really like it. I was told by a friend a few weeks ago about an old Checkmate for sale and finally got to go check it out this past weekend (it’s 160 miles away). Really liked what I saw. A blue and silver 1982 Enticer with a Merc 90 hp. Hull looks in REAL GOOD shape but needs oxidation removal and polishing. BUT, then we got under the water-covered PLASTIC TARP and found a lot of leaves, dirt, etc. Friend got in and jumped up and down all over the floor, seemed very solid and the carpet looked like it could be cleaned up good. But again, as he walked onto the bow cushion it collapsed in completely from the rot. Then, after talking to the owner (who I believe knows almost nothing about boats) he said he would get the battery charged so we could go for a ride “tomorrow”. Tomorrow came and in having the rear bench seat off, the area under the seat was badly rotten also. The rear bench seemed to be rebuilt with new wood. Battery didn’t hold a charge, so no ride, no engine start, and rot to worry about. The owner pretty much said he would sell it for the value of the trailer at this point because he needs to move it off his relative’s property before winter storage this year.

So I ask you guys, what do you think of all this? If I could get away with replacing the floor only… I’m in and would eventually get bigger motor. If it’s the floor, the transom, the stringers, and everything else wood… I think I’ve got to walk away from this project at this time in my life.

Pounding on the transom seemed solid (?). It almost seems like the floor must have been replaced, but why wouldn’t they have replaced the “floor” under the back bench??? You think there’s any chance this boat isn’t rotten 100%? He had the plug in while it was sitting on the trailer (a bad move if you ask me). I pulled it an virtually no water came out. I’m left wondering if this thing is rotting out due to the poor “storage” conditions and not from constant in the water soaking. Anyone have any recommendations on determining more rot? The only way I know of is to “dig-in”… I don’t think this guy would like that before I buy it!

Thanks for any thoughts on this. I’m really struggling with what to do on this one.

Hess
 
Welcome to the board Hess.

It sounds like a bit of a project to me. If you're looking for something with no fuss, you might be better to just find something ready to go and pay more up front. From my personal experience, whenever you start a project like this, it typically becomes a might as well fix this and that while I'm at it deal. More often than not, things are usually worse than they appear on the surface.

Granted, it sounds like the price might be right given that you said the guy just wants the value of the trailer. But if you don't have the time to do that work, the boat may never see water.

That's my .02 cents.
icon_smile.gif
 
Good advice Chris! It kinda depends on your skill also to do a complete restoration. I think 175checkmate could give you an idea as to the work involved.

Jim
 
For the frustration part of it, find another boat.
For a floor,transom,stringer, seat backs you are looking at about $1000.00 in cost and 400-500 for the labor.
To add to this trouble the motor is unknow and you are talking about getting a larger engine to install. With all of the above. My advice would be to keep looking.
 
Its possible that a new floor was placed over bad. If it seems solid everywear but under the seat. Its real easy to hide this kind of repair. The front section of the Trimate that I'm working on now had that kind of repair. Just a piece of wood cut to fit screwed down and then carpeted over. I've seen it on many other boats also.
 
Where is the boat located? I want to do an enticer project... how much is the trailer worth? does the engine run for sure?
 
Duane,
The boat is in Michigan. I never got as far as running the engine, but the guy told me the engine ran great (?). BUT, he also told me we could run the engine for a few minutes without water on it as well. (As I mentioned, he didn't seem to know boats too well which further scares me)

Value of the trailer? I'd think it was worth about 300 bucks! But I'm thinking the seller thinks it's worth about $500-$800 with the boat and motor sitting on it.

I'm still pondering the idea, but likely to pass on it. Don't know where you are located, but let me know if you're interested and I can pass on the info if and when I'm comfortable in passing on the project.
 
Running a motah without water pumping through it, usually results in a burnt up impeller.
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Yea.. If that thing has been sitting a while even just cranking it could damage the impeller. Then again the water pump probably should be replaced anyway on an old motor like that. Replacing the water pump every few years as maintance is not a bad idea. A failed water pump can ruin your day not to mention what it can potentaly do to your motor real quick.
 
That boat might not be a bad investment to have Mike recondition at the factory. Next find a nice 125 to hang on the back and sell the 90. The price seems "right".... $500 on a trailer...
 
What's something like that roughly cost if sent away to the factory... or for anyone other shop to do it for that matter?
 
I also just picked up a 85 Enticer, where basically I will have to replace the entire floor, but I could not see the boat going to the boneyard, because that is where it was headed until I rescued it. Some bonehead was trying to cut out the seat bases and cut 3 1/2" x 6" hole through the hull with a saw, lots of fun to repair!
Who can I turn to to get pictures or plans of the interior, because I have an empty shell and no idea where to start when I rebuild the interior.??
 
Welcome to the board. Good luck on the project. I am sure there will be some better pictures, but here is a start.

1985-04.jpg
 
BOATFIXER27.. CHECK OUT THE THREAD IN 'PLAY TO WIN' AND LOOK AT 'PREDICTOR TUBE SEAT PEDESTALS'. JRS1958 HAS DONE A GREAT JOB ON MAKING SEAT MOUNTS

THE HOLES IN THE FLOOR ARE A REAL PAIN. I WOULD LOOK TO GET A PIECE OF GLASS FROM A PICK UP CAP OR VAN ROOF OR CRASHED BOAT AND FIT IT IN FOR STARTERS. IF YOU USE FIBERGLASS CLOTH (NOT ROVING MAT) AND LAMINATING RESIN (SLOW HARDENING) ON BOTH SIDES IT SHOULD BE A GOOD REPAIR.

MIKE AT CHECKMATE COULD HELP YOU ON GETTING OEM SEAT SKINS AND FRONT SEAT FRAMES.
THE PHONE NUMBER FOR CHECKMATE IS 419-562-3881
 
Here's a link to an old Enticer add I stumbled on that might help also... however the interior on this boat seems to be missing the three ladies that came from the factory on the pic above!

http://www.boattraderonline.com/dealeraddphotos.html?67894212

I gotta tell all you guys... this boat has been sitting on my mind ever since I saw it and wrote about it here. Still not giving up on the idea. I don’t know if I can pass it up and I would actually enjoy the re-build if it wasn’t too bad. It would just fit in my garage which is must at this point. Having an Enticer as my “garage boat” is pretty enticing!
 
The Enticer in boat trader does not have the original seat skins. The front seat covers look kinda loose, I wonder if the foam is missing. It looks like the carpet was replaced, whats under it is unknown. I think $5800 is a bit steep for a 22 year old boat. Someone near Little River,SC could check it out and report back. At minimum it needs seat skins and repaint or gel-coat work to restore it.
 
Donconviner,
I didn't even know the ad still existed & thought they were old pictures without a description... which didn't make any sense in hindsight. The boat I was reffering to as "this boat" in the above post was the one I was originally discussing in the reason for this post. I was only showing that link as a means of showing boatfixer 27 additional "layout" pics seeing he only has a bare hull.
 
Thanks for the link, I printed out the two interior pictures that were most useful. The interior is pretty basic, but I was wondering why the front bench seat goes all the way across, rather than 2 "standard" bowrider seats. I know it covers the compartment underneath, I may rebuild that as two seat cushions with a carpeted walk thru. I will hopefully post some before and after pics as I progress, first I have to get a shop/garage built so I can expand my marine business.
 
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