1988 Supra Mariah: Floor and Stringer Restoration and more...

[flipz96]

I have a 1988 Supra Mariah which I bought this past summer. This is my first boat and I thought it was a good deal at the time. It had a wrap and a tower which made it look newer than it was. I am not a fan of the blue camo hydroturf, but I will suffice for now as long as I was able to get out and wakeboard. I was able to use it almost all summer and despite having a low freeboard, she puts out a decent wakesurf wake.






It had some issues with going in reverse because my prop side coupler nut would unscrew. This happened to me 4 times on the water. The first time I didn't have the tools to get it on so I had to swim it to a nearby dock which lucky had a boat ramp. I bought the appropriate size rachet to get it on the next day and tightened as much as I can. I did notice that the the threads on the shaft were a little worn...as if it was tightened while misaligned. The next I went out and used reverse it backed out again. I bought lock tight thinking that would cure the problem...of course it didn't and it came off again. Unfortunately, I was getting used to holding my breath underwater while another person tightens the nut on deck. I just stayed off the reverse for the remainder of the summer.

Wanting to be able to use reverse, I did a little more inspecting and research. I saw that the keyway was worn out a little on the shaft but more so on the coupler. In reverse, the shaft would slip inside the coupler and unscrew the nut. I brought the coupler to a machine shop to recut the keyway. I installed it and the vibration was really bad. Thinking back, I know there shouldn't be any play at all in the key way. Looking for the quick fix, I ended up buying a new shaft and coupler from skidim. After getting it installed, I noticed that I was a little misaligned and upon further inspection noticed that the stringer on the portside was hollow and the bolt was able to spin freely.

Initially, my plan was to do a partial repair of the stringer only on the engine mount area. I cut out the portside and some parts were coming out like compost and even mud. The starboard side was actually pretty decent. I figure since I was doing on side might as well do the other. I cut inspection windows in the soft spots on the floor saw that the foam was soaked. There was water intrusion from the screw holes used to secure the helm seat and the aft seats to the sole and no limber holes for the water to drain. My next thought was to do a "cap on" floor/stringer restore, but having a soft spot in the play pen, I know a "cap off" restoration will be in the near future anyways. I read a few stringer/floor restoration threads on here, but I never thought that I would be writing one myself...SOB!