"86" Starcraft Floor Repair?

[steve mcintire]

I picked up this boat knowing it would need work. I opened up a raised platform next to the transom to run a new transducer cable. The floor was carpeted before the raised platform was installed and the entire cavity was filled with foam pieces. The carpet under the foam was saturated and what was once 1/2 inch marine plywood looked like wet sawdust. This is my first boat and it's not really a candidate for restoration. A newer and bigger boat is not in the cards this year. Do I patch it up and go fishing or bite the bullet and replace the floor? Is there a product out there to make repairs that won't rot?
Your input is valuable to me. Thank you in advance.

 

[matt167]

If it's glass it's trash. If it's a tin boat, you can patch the floor and head out providing the transom is solid. Wear a life jacket

 

[Scott Danforth]

is the starcraft aluminum or fiberglass.

if aluminum, you would be OK to run with rotten floor, etc. although all that water will make it perform like crap. the aluminum is hull and ribs are the structure of the boat. however the transom relies on wood, so that may be an issue.

however if the boat is fiberglass, you would NOT be OK to run with rotten floor, etc. as the floor, stringers and foam are part of the structure of a fiberglass boat. you run the risk of sinking

 

[steve mcintire]

It's a tin boat and the transom is not showing any signs of rot. In "86" Starcraft produced a stripped down SS that they marketed as a cheaper version of of the 16 ft. SS. No wrap around padded seats fore and aft. Only 15' 4" and a 60" beam It has a walk through windshield, a steering wheel and fold down padded seating for 4. The open bow has 2 small padded bench seats with enough leg room for a couple of kids. It is not a luxury craft but it gets me on the water. I think patching it up is sound advice. If I can get another season out of my 60 hp Mariner, I will save up for something newer and bigger next year.
Thanks for the input.

 

[matt167]

On a 16' SS there should be 2 transom braces. Just check them for cracks.