Deck work

[Miguel847]

Good evening all! I need some guidance when it comes to replacing the deck. I bought a 16' 1984 Chaparral 178, Engine is in great condition but the deck has a soft spot which tells me that the deck and possibly stringers need to be replaced. But it's only in a small part of the aft deck, I say about 12" X 12". Where do I start cutting and how close to the edge is it recommended to cut. Approximately how much money am I looking at? Any info would be greatly appreciated. I want to do it right cuz I plan on keeping her for a while.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Deck work

start by reading the threads from Woodonglass, Friscoboater, and Oops in the restoration section.

from there, you will most likely be into it for a deck, stringers, and transom.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Deck work

Welcome to iBoats!

Here's the deal. Boats usually, but NOT always, rot from the bottom up. A soft spot in the deck is usually an indication of issues below. We need a bit more information. Pics always help us to help you. Is there a ski locker? Is this an outboard or an I/O boat? Can you see below the deck at any location? To cut the deck, a Circular saw with the blade set to a depth of appox 1/16th of and inch deeper than the thickness of the deck material is used. You can cut as close to the edge as the saw will allow since the blade is set to such a low depth of cut. Lot's of examples here on the forum so do some searching and reading.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Deck work

I'd start cutting about 2' forward of the soft spot and from port to starboard (from one side to the other all the way across the deck), remove the decking from the cut to the transom and take a looky see as to what's what. If rot and saturated foam are widespread you can take out more deck as needed.

After you remove the first cut you'll be able to inspect your transom for rot as well, boats with soft spots in the aft usually have rotten transoms too.

 

[Miguel847]

Re: Deck work

I'd start cutting about 2' forward of the soft spot and from port to starboard (from one side to the other all the way across the deck), remove the decking from the cut to the transom and take a looky see as to what's what. If rot and saturated foam are widespread you can take out more deck as needed.

After you remove the first cut you'll be able to inspect your transom for rot as well, boats with soft spots in the aft usually have rotten transoms too.

Well started cutting the deck, and I'm almost to the front seats on the starboard side. The deck itself is not rotted up there but the foam is waterlogged and theres fuel as well. It seems like the deck had some work done in it before, and when repaired they ran the fuel fill line under the deck and the stringer was just cut and was never sealed, so anytime water got into the boat or sprayed down to get washed, water was going directly into the stbd side. Poor repair job. Thinking about re-running the fuel fill line aft. Any ideas? I checked the port side deck and it seems to be in good condition, so I'm not going to rip that up, is that a good idea? Or should I replace it all at once? Stringers forward and aft of the fuel tank need placed, and I also noticed the compartment where the fuel tank is in is full of water with no drain, any ideas? I will post pics tomorrow so you can see what I'm talking about.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Deck work

Take it all out while you're there, it'll all go back in new and you won't have to worry or wonder about it after you're done.

 

[Miguel847]

Re: Deck work

Thanks for the advice. I was thinking he same. Any ideas with the fuel tank?

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Deck work

Thanks for the advice. I was thinking the same. Any ideas with the fuel tank?

You need to empty it of fuel, and remove it from the boat if you need to replace the adjoining bulkheads & stringers. If it is in good condition, you can clean it up & put it back once you rebuild....

 

[Miguel847]

Re: Deck work

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Deck work

While doing partial stringer replacements can and has been done in some cases, based on what I've seen and read on your thread, I'd say it would prolly be in your best interest to gut it and start from scratch. IF you are going to keep the boat for several more years and want to be 100% certain that she is a sound and seaworthy craft then this will be your best option. Cost's for this restoration of the Deck, Stringers and Transom should be more or less around $1,500 dollars.

 

[mrdjflores]

Re: Deck work

+1 for what WOG said...

budget amount, boat use, length of time planning on keeping the boat......all of this falls into second place.....safety #1

you, your friends and family will be on the boat...don't rush, take your time, do it right

just my 2 cents worth

 

[Decker83]

Re: Deck work

+1 for WOG and mrdjflores. You have most of the deck out now and the extra cost is well worth it. Keep it safe.
When you have it all put back in you will know its right and have a new boat without the payments. Nothing like the feeling of
knowing you did it and its done right.

 

[Miguel847]

Re: Deck work

Thanks everyone. I agree, safety first!!! well today I managed to get some work done on the boat, im almost done with the STBD side, i got it done all the way forward till i got all the foam out, I got the tank out today as well. One thing i found today was that there was about 2-3 gallons of water/fuel around the tank because there was no drain hole for all of it to drain. the stringers all around the fuel tank are rotted, so next week i hope to finish the aft end of the STBD side and begin on the port side. here are some pics. i do have 1 question, how do I cut the stringers out. I'm thinking with a saw zaw, but better to ask the experts. any advice would be greatly appreciated. Im hoping to finish this boat by spring time.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Deck work

saw zall or a multi tool:

 

[Miguel847]

Re: Deck work

i have one of those, but its such a pain and going through blades like crazy. lol. thanks for the advice, how close to the bottom should i cut. would i have to grind down what ever is left?

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Deck work

Close, but not so close that you risk putting a slice thru the hull....

Then grind off the little bit you left...

 

[Miguel847]

Re: Deck work

 

[Miguel847]

Re: Deck work

 

[Miguel847]

Re: Deck work

Well I finally cut the entire deck and removed all the waterlogged foam! I tell you what that was some nasty stuff. But it's all out. The engine is still in place, hoping I can do this with the engine in place. I have to cut up all the stringers and then grind start grinding to prep it for new materials. One thing I noticed was that there is only 1 engine mount on the forward end of the motor, and none on the aft end, does anyone knee if that's the way it's supposed to be? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Miguel847]

Re: Deck work

I have some friends up here in northern Illinois who keep telling me that pressure treated wood for stringers and deck are fine, any advice to that?