purchased a Chrysler Sport Valiant and have probs

[bigjoe2728]

I am new to this site and I just bought a Chrysler Sport Valiant 2 days ago that was said to be a 68 but I beleive it is a 72. I started to clean it up and redo it some and realized the floor had soft spots so I checked it out and under the fiberglass on the floor all the wood in certain spots are terribly rotted and fallen apart. Now I have no clue what to do. I thought about cuttin up th old floor bt dont exactly no wher I can cut without damaging anything important and if I out all new wood in does it need fiberglassed or just use treated wood? Any help on what I should do and use would be great. Thanks!!!

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: purchased a Chrysler Sport Valiant and have probs

You are in the right spot. I would recommend reading threads for a week before you tear into the boat. There are some great ones on here of total rebuilds which is what your in for.

 

[DaKeen1]

Re: purchased a Chrysler Sport Valiant and have probs

Unbelieveable - I too just purchhased a Chrysler Sport Valiant. Wednesday this week.
I too have the same problem initially. The floor is rotted tremendously. I know it has to be relaced. But the question is - is there anything underneath? Is it an open space or foam filled? does anyone know the answer?
I know the floor is too rotted to use. (It actually had flowers and weeds growing in it.) It sat outside for about 10 years without being moved.
Can I take it out or should I try to overlay it?
Thanx for any assistance you can provide !

 

[78ImperialT]

Re: purchased a Chrysler Sport Valiant and have probs

DO NOT OVERLAY.

if what you have is rotted and you put more on top...it will rot too. its like feeding more fuel to a fire.

 

[bbbvaliant74]

Re: purchased a Chrysler Sport Valiant and have probs

i own a 74 valiant that i replaced the floor in. i was a technician at tracker marine for a few years so i just tore into it. on mine there was foam in the outside stringer voids but the center void was open. i would suggest treated plywood and fiberglass but i always over-do things. i also added some fiberglass to the walls of the boat just to make them a little stronger. i hope i was some help