1973 Aquasport - Soft spots on deck

[Cricket Too]

I'm looking at the above center console and when walking around the deck I noticed some soft spots on the deck in front of the console and on the port side of the console, and then the worst one is right behind the seat in front of the motor in the center of the deck. I know these usually come with age, but was just wondering exactly what causes these soft spots. None of these are bad to the point that you would fall through, they just feel a little spongy for a split second when you step on them. <br /><br />Are these cause by the fiberglass delaminating or is the wood flooring under the fiberglass decking rotting away and just gonna get worse as time goes on? It's an old boat and I'm not looking for it to be perfect, and it's relatively cheap and I only really want to get a couple of years use out of it, but I just don't want to buy a nightmare. Just want to know how I can tell if these soft spots are something to really be concerned about. Thanks, Mike.

 

[DJ]

Re: 1973 Aquasport - Soft spots on deck

Cricket,<br /><br />The cause is the wood de-laminating from the floor shell which is fiberglass.<br /><br />I wouldn't buy it. If it has gone that far, the stringers (hull supports) are probably in a more advanced stage of rot. Stringers are structural, the floor is too, to a lesser degree.<br /><br />A complete "re-do" is in order for that "old jewel".

 

[thehermit]

Re: 1973 Aquasport - Soft spots on deck

Cricket,<br />More than likely the wood underneath the glass and gelcoat is rotting/rotten/gone. But sounds like you already suspect that.<br />TH

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: 1973 Aquasport - Soft spots on deck

Thanks guys, I appreciate the insight. Yeah you are probably right about the rot, I was just trying to hopefully avoid the obvious. Wishful thinking as the boat otherwise is in really good condition, gel coat is nice and it's nice and wide and open, perfect for fishing. Oh well.

 

[caldog101]

Re: 1973 Aquasport - Soft spots on deck

Hi Cricket <br /> I own a 1974 17 ft. aquasports ,I have replaced the floor already,my stingers were intact apparently they are made of fiberglass with foam inside,so if you like the boat you may want to check that out it may only need the floor.

 

[Buttanic]

Re: 1973 Aquasport - Soft spots on deck

I believe all Aquasports back then had all fiberglass stringers.I know my 1975 240 did. I had to fix one soft spot on the forward deck hatch which was easy because it could be done fron\m the bottom side. You might want to read the West System book on fiberglass repair. They were good boats and it would be worth fixing.

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: 1973 Aquasport - Soft spots on deck

Very encouraging guys thanks. The minor soft spots on the floor didn't bother me as much as what I thought the stringers would look like. But if they were all made from fiberglass then that's good news. I may be willing to get a season out of it the way it is and then tackle the floor. The transom is strong on the boat also, so if my only problem is the floor, I might be able to deal with that. Thanks again, Mike.