Soft Spots?

[495v]

I've been reading alot of threads regarding leaks and soft spots and realized that when I bought my boat I didn't even check for these. I guess I figured the boat was too new(1996) and in to good of condition for it. My attitude has changed a bit and I would like to check my deck for soft spots. What is the best way to go about it? I have a 96' Ranger bassboat that has never seen saltwater, I don't know if this makes a difference. The boat has alway's been garage kept and also has a heavy duty cover for trailering it. What is the best way to check this thing out for cancer(soft spots)? Does anyone know what material Ranger uses for it's decks? I know they use fiberglass stringers. Any advice?

 

[DJ]

Re: Soft Spots?

495V,<br /><br />I really doubt you have anything to worry about. I do not believe your Ranger has any wood in it.<br /><br />If you had soft spots, I believe you would know. The best way to find them, is simply walk around in your boat. If they're there, you'll know.

 

[MercilessMike]

Re: Soft Spots?

Covered in a garage... Hakuna Matada, ranger is a good boat to start with, Being garage kept you can sleep easy. Most of the damage usually occurs when boats are left outside UN COVERED...<br /><br />Be if curiosity gets the best of ya, pull the carpet and look for discoloration in the fiberglass. Or you can buy a miosture meter and approach it the scientific way.<br /><br />But I would sleep easy at night..

 

[495v]

Re: Soft Spots?

Thanks for the reply guys! I was walking around in it last night trying to feel for any soft spots.....I felt like a weirdo. I think everything's kosher. On top of it, I emailed Ranger and they told me that they use 20year marine grade plywood that is laminated with glass on both sides. That's a bit re-assuring.

 

[DJ]

Re: Soft Spots?

495,<br /><br />That's good news! Just becareful how you mount anything-particularly on the floor.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Soft Spots?

20 year marine ply is a beatuiful thing but if they didn't use epoxy to laminate the glass,,,, then the glass ain't really bonded to the ply & it's still a rot inducing sive.. polyester resin is failed science !!! it's doesn't work an this is what the boating industry has done to you guys. sorry to say....

 

[495v]

Re: Soft Spots?

What do you mean.... the boating industry just gives a false sense of security by telling us these things? Do you have any specific recommendations to use to check for soft spots, other than ripping up the carpet. I walked around and everything feels solid. Boat has always been garage kept and no modifications or bolt on's were done to the floor.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Soft Spots?

fear not 495,, 20 year ply i guess should last 20 years.. anything that last that long these days is a miricle.. your boat is probably still in good shape an you sound like you take care of your hard earned money... heck you stompin' around on the deck ,, if it's not soft it's not soft.. what iam sayin' is,,, up until a while ago ,can't say when, they thought '' FIBERGLASS ''was the poop .. but not so many years ago ,, they finally realized that '' rot causing water molecues '' can pass rite thru polyester resin.. an that it doesn't truely bond to wood either ( it's not a glue & can be easily peeled off wood ..that is why they now say wood is bad an they'er coming up with other structure materials..

 

[crab bait]

Re: Soft Spots?

by-the-way,, if it rained saltwater there wouldn't be much rot on boats.. only fresh water causes rot...