Deck repair due to balsa rot

[kpoly]

I have a 89 Four Winns Vista that has a soft spot on the aft deck. I can remove the aft deck and wondering if I can repair the deck from the fiberglass side rather than the topside? It would keep the deck all the same material if I could cut out from the backside, dig out the balsa, then repair and replace fiberglass. Any tips on doing this will be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[gm280]

I am not familiar with your boat,but if you can remove the deck with the soft spot and have access from the underside, I don't see why you could repair it that way. Just have to be really careful to not grind through the top side when removing the rot and old fiberglass in preparation for the new material. Post some pictures so we can see what you are dealing with. JMHO!

 

[Scott Danforth]

I would re-core with balsa myself.

 

[alldodge]

I have a 89 Four Winns Vista that has a soft spot on the aft deck. I can remove the aft deck and wondering if I can repair the deck from the fiberglass side rather than the topside? It would keep the deck all the same material if I could cut out from the backside, dig out the balsa, then repair and replace fiberglass. Any tips on doing this will be appreciated. Thanks.

I don't think this would work. The floor is cut out, wood removed without damaging the top glass. Now the underside of the glass needs to be ruffed up to get rid of impurities. Add new glass to new wood and wet down old glass. Clamp together and let dry.

Now the deck which was glassed in needs to be re-glassed to the deck/sides for strength. If not doing it this way, what would be your plan?

 

[kpoly]

The deck section I'm concerned with comes completely out of the boat and will give me access to the underside. Once I cut out the bad section from the underside, I plan to sand down the top underside, recore with marine plywood and then glass in the patch. I believe this will work though I concerned by cutting the underside I will weaken the structure.

 

[harleyman1975]

Your doing it the way I would.