Larson Volero rotten floor

[travis77]

I have a ~16' Larson Volero and have just started ripping out the rotten flooring and water logged foam.
I'm wondering if the boat needs the foam for strength?

I realize that the two main longitudinal stringers are structural. I am not sure how to preserve them. The beam is formed by an upside down 'L' of fibreglass partially encapsulating waterlogged foam and overlapping a piece of 1"x8" (cedar?). Once the foam is removed it will have very little strength. I am tempted to leave 4 inches of foam and cedar, water and all, and glass this in, this would leave two beams running the length of the boat approximately ten inches high by four inches wide.

I already have a considerable amount of fiberglassing to do, just to replace all the tabbing holding down the plywood.

Any ideas? thanks,

Travis
http://www.mediafire.com/i/?dknmynnzzxv

http://www.mediafire.com/i/?2kz1zyvyjum

 

[MTribe08]

Re: Larson Volero rotten floor

Bro..you've already gone this far...if you plan on keeping the boat, rip it all out and replace it with good stuff.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Larson Volero rotten floor

I am tempted to leave 4 inches of foam and cedar, water and all, and glass this in,

Ayuh,... That would be foolhardy,+ mean your time, materials,+ effort are to be Wasted...

 

[travis77]

Re: Larson Volero rotten floor

Thanks for the replies.

I guess I can cut the top of the inverted 'L' off with the cedar plank underneath and box the remaining tabbing in with plywood and then fiberglass over everything. Any tricks for removing foam?
I've just been digging at it with a 8' crow bar. Hard work to say the least.

Thanks

 

[osborn159]

Re: Larson Volero rotten floor

try a square nose shovel. i hated this part. good luck, D

 

[Robert4Winns]

Re: Larson Volero rotten floor

Thanks for the replies.

I guess I can cut the top of the inverted 'L' off with the cedar plank underneath and box the remaining tabbing in with plywood and then fiberglass over everything. Any tricks for removing foam?
I've just been digging at it with a 8' crow bar. Hard work to say the least.

Thanks

A crowbar is too narrow. YOu need to pry it out with somethign wider. I've had good luck using a tree trimming saw to cut it away from sides of the cavity (stringers and bulkheads) and then prying out large chunks with a shovel.

 

[heiliges]

Re: Larson Volero rotten floor

No easy way found. As mentioned, stick with a shovel. Get under the foam and then pop it up. Doing it now myself and it is some heavy duty work. Have those garbage bags ready.

 

[travis77]

Re: Larson Volero rotten floor

AH! A chainsaw you say?

hmmm..

 

[Robert4Winns]

Re: Larson Volero rotten floor

AH! A chainsaw you say?

hmmm..

I use a handsaw like the one in the attached photo. If you cut between the foam and the stringer you only have to separate it from the bottom of the cavity and can pop out bigger chunks.