99 Tracker PT 185 restoration...... HELP...please

[Toadslinger]

Hello all i recently bought a 99 Tracker pro team 185 with a 90 hp merc to use on the lake that i live on. I bought it from a terminally ill friend who has since passed away. Just now getting around to the restoration. Had my mechanic go thru the motor, clean carbs, service, change plugs/fluids, drain tank etc. and it is running great.

The boat was stored outside under some oak trees with no cover for the last several years, so as you can imagine it is pretty much a mess some of the carpet is gone, whats not gone is in really rough shape so i've been pulling it out, and have discovered that each individual part of the interior was carpeted before assembly!!! Also the floor of the boat is rotten in several places so my original plan was to replace the floor, and front deck, then go back with non skid paint since it will be left in the lake out in the weather for long periods of time.

Ive got the front deck out, and all the hatches up front removed, now i'm trying to figure out how to get the two rod boxes out and the big storage box with plastic liner out?!?! I have all the screws/rivets out that i can find and its still not budging? I need these out to replace the floor of the rod boxes...they are rotten. Any help with that part is very much appreciated.


Assuming I figure out how to get those out, I am hoping there is enough wiggle room to slide the floor out with out completely removing the console.

its a neat little boat, but it seems they could have made it easier for the consumer to work on down the road!! AT this point, i am considering finding a shop near me to do the work i am in the central Florida area. I just feel like i mayhave bit off way more than I want to chew on this project lol, anyone who has restored one of these, specifically replacing the floor if you have any insight or suggestions I would greatly appreciate it. In fact i am considering using something other than marine grade plywood so that I never have to do this again? Thanks for any and all suggestions.

[ct0218]

I gutted my 2001 PT 185 1.5 years ago, wasn't too bad taking it apart but if the 2 boxes aren't budging my guess is that you have overlooked some bolts or rivets. I would think that your boat is built exactly like mine was, or at least very close. I don't remember any specific hidden fasteners but sometimes it was difficult to see or feel the fasteners with the carpet and glue residue covering them. A few times I took out what fasteners I could find, then tug and pull a bit and tried to locate the area that seemed to still be fastened and holding it down. I used a small 8 inch prybar a couple times to locate some of them. I believe that I have a few photos of the gutted boat but not sure that there is anything that you could determine from looking at them. PM me if you want me to forward them to you.

[Hair Jig]

Marine grade plywood will be fine IF you coat it with fiberglass resin before install. Otherwise it will eventually absorb water after a few years of sitting out in the weather.

Marine grade doesn't = waterproof.

[Toadslinger]

Thank you guys for the advice, I'm just going to take my time, and do it right...was hoping to have it in the water by Christmas. May have to push my timeline back.