I just looked at a 1973 42ft gibson, flybridge, 318 v-drives. I't may be of negitave value but I think it could be restored.

I was suprised to see the stringers run from side to side, I had expected to see them front to back. Every stringer I saw, Front 8 and under engines. needed replaced. .I feel confident in replacing stringers. There is a beam that is under the hull running from front to back, (sorry I do not know the correct name) that has some damage/blistering. Is this beam something that can rot as well. I am assuming that all stringers need replaced, but this beam I would not touch.

I know it is a lot of work but when done its ready for another 30 years.

Are you talking about the keel? Post picture. Did you check transom and decks?

The keel is straight and seem solid. It has some blistering but , may have been beached at some point. The transom looked good the back deck needs total replacement, the front is soft, the upper decks & Ceilings are in good shape except for a 2' x 2' corner. I can see and get to almost everything. It would take about 1/2 hour to expose the rest of hull from the inside. The water has entered through the front deck hatch and rear deck and hatches right side rear window and one place on the upper deck corner above the kitchen. The deck under the helm is in great shape the decking in the cuddy has been removed


What is a keel constructed of and is it common to rot

If I buy this I'll taking a week off work to replace the stringers and lower decks from there it is a mater of rebuilding the inside , fiberglass, and install rebuilt motors.

Last week I looked at a nice one just like it. Looked good, ran good, everything worked, but the bilge was coming on every 5 min and no rain in days.

Thanks Jeff

Ok heres the real skinny. You will find some more rot in the transom and the stringers under the engines. However, the plusses are twin Chryslers with vee drives (these combinations are about as bullit proof as you can get),and Gibsons in good condition are always good property.

Check or have checked out, the keel area in the front third of the boat for soft areas and/or delamanation. A leak in this area drives people gaga. If the project doesn't daunt you the end result will be a good performing boat that will have positive value.

However, consider this: If you could find a 44 in the same condition it would'nt cost any more to rebuild and you would have a 14' wide boat.

2 feet of width makes a huge difference in livability and value.

Note: If it has Paragons be sure to replace the U joints before reinstalling the engines.