Do most old boats needs new floors?

[rbryant1492_mfb]

Being new to boat ownership I have noticed one thing. On a lot of web sites and forums there seem to be a lot of post on fixing or redoing floors. In my search to buy my first used boat I noticed most had some type of floor problem. The floors had been replaced or needed to be replaced.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Do most old boats needs new floors?

Most boat floors are nothing but 3/8" plywood, many manufacturers do nothing to protect the under side of the wood, and worse yet, most carpet the top side which holds water and contributes to the rotted wood. The best floors are gelcoated and totally sealed with no carpet, they can be hosed down and washed up easily. Those are normally found in boats intended for fishing.
Most fish and ski, and cuddy cabin boats are carpeted. If the floor is rotted or soft, chances are it's been stored outdoors and it's been wet, the floor is rarely the only problem, the lower supports, stringers, and wood in the transom can also be rotted if the boat was not kept dry. Most boats are also foam filled, that foam gets wet and holds moisture, which in turn adds the the rot problem down below. Your best bet is to do a very thorough inspection on any boat you intend to buy, and then decide whether or not it's worth the work to repair it if it does need work. If you have to pay a marina to do the work, its going to be expensive. If you are not up to doing the work yourself, it's most likely not worth it for you to buy one that needs that sort of work.

Many newer boats are built wood free, using all aluminum and composites that do not rot. Those also hold their value much better.

 

[thunderroad]

Re: Do most old boats needs new floors?

I got lucky. My 69 Formula F-190's floor seems solid as a rock. It sat outisde, uncovered for 4 years before I got it. The owner had it pointing east, bow higher than stern with the plug out. It had rubber backed carpet that wasn't glued down. My guess is that even when it got wet, sitting to where the afternoon sun had a clear shot at it, it was able to dry out before it rotted. It's 3/4 plywood that has been glassed over also.
But to answer the original question....most all of the old boats that I've looked at that have been sitting in someone's back yard have had soft floors. I'm kinda looking for a project boat, but the floor is gonna be a sticking point in my choice. I don't have the patience (and probably not the skill) for that kind of project.

 

[rbryant1492_mfb]

Re: Do most old boats needs new floors?

I kinda of wonder if you cover your boat carefully and be carefull will wood floors last forever?

 

[gcboat]

Re: Do most old boats needs new floors?

Nothing my friend lasts forever.

 

[rbryant1492_mfb]

Re: Do most old boats needs new floors?

You know what I noticed in pictures and in the project boat I have seen.
Leaves and Pine needles I think this is a big cause of floor rot they cover the floors and hold in the moisture.

 

[Mano del Sol]

Re: Do most old boats needs new floors?

You know what I noticed in pictures and in the project boat I have seen.
Leaves and Pine needles I think this is a big cause of floor rot they cover the floors and hold in the moisture.

My boat is aluminum but when I got it there was a foot or so of oak leaves in it.

There were creepy crawly thing living in there?

 

[rbryant1492_mfb]

Re: Do most old boats needs new floors?

I am still cleaning pine needles i clean and clean and they keep coming back and the scary part is I dont have a pine tree. The guy I got it from had it right under a tree

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Do most old boats needs new floors?

My boat is aluminum but when I got it there was a foot or so of oak leaves in it.

There were creepy crawly thing living in there?

My boat was once infested with carpenter ants. I kid you not, & they had a feast!

 

[bouttime007]

Re: Do most old boats needs new floors?

I seem to have a hornet-condo going on. I blast em and they come back, the fight rages on........ Oh, and I do have one soft-ish spot on my floor, -- replacing it as needed next year.

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: Do most old boats needs new floors?

We can put some blame on mfg's their methods and bling design (carpet). However, a large percentage of owners didn't (some still don't) have a clue as to what damage water can do over the long period. Many felt "it's a boat FCS, water ain't gonna hurt it". How wrong they were (are) as their boat's value dropped dramatically with rotten floors, stingers and transom's.
I tried (in vane) to explain the water damage concept to my neighbor 2 years ago. He looked at me strange and insinuated that I was full of crap. Last words we've had. His 5 yr. old bass boat is open to the rain/snow, parked bow down with the trailer jack deep in the dirt and not moved for 2 yrs. Winterizing some do, but proper storage would go a long ways to maintain the value of a wood-framed, foam-filled, boat. There is NO excuse for neglect!
On used boat think:The more and older the neglect, the bigger the project.

My 21yr old P&J: "NO Foam, NO carpet, No Water ....... No Problem." Dry Storage

 

[bouttime007]

Re: Do most old boats needs new floors?

We can put some blame on mfg's their methods and bling design (carpet). However, a large percentage of owners didn't (some still don't) have a clue as to what damage water can do over the long period. Many felt "it's a boat FCS, water ain't gonna hurt it". How wrong they were (are) as their boat's value dropped dramatically with rotten floors, stingers and transom's.
I tried (in vane) to explain the water damage concept to my neighbor 2 years ago. He looked at me strange and insinuated that I was full of crap. Last words we've had. His 5 yr. old bass boat is open to the rain/snow, parked bow down with the trailer jack deep in the dirt and not moved for 2 yrs. Winterizing some do, but proper storage would go a long ways to maintain the value of a wood-framed, foam-filled, boat. There is NO excuse for neglect!
On used boat think:The more and older the neglect, the bigger the project.

My 21yr old P&J: "NO Foam, NO carpet, No Water ....... No Problem." Dry Storage

Thats a sweet boat Nova II. Im not a fan of the color red, but it looks great on your rig.

 

[jddenham]

Re: Do most old boats needs new floors?

No, not all old boats need new floors. The only old boats that need new floors have either:

A) Been in the water

B) Been rained on

 

[Rocky4052]

Re: Do most old boats needs new floors?

I get it! In otherwords, BEWARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dan

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Do most old boats needs new floors?

I kinda of wonder if you cover your boat carefully and be carefull will wood floors last forever?

It is possible. My uncle has had two brand new boats. A '77 and '95. He still uses the '95. He does not take particularly good care of his boats and uses them HARD. However, his boat is always either in it's boat house or in his barn when not being used. He's never had any issue with rot. So it would appear that just doing your best to keep them dry they can last a long time. He's also proof of the concept that most problems with a boat happen due to lack of use rather than use. His boat gets used hard at least every weekend and usually during the week as well all season long. He rarely has had any mechanical issues and both his '77 and '95 were run of the mill entry level boats.

 

[dirtyoldman]

Re: Do most old boats needs new floors?

I've been thinking about having a bed liner sprayed in there. It's non slip and can be tinted any color. Anybody done this to prevent damage?

 

[6228SH]

Re: Do most old boats needs new floors?

I know some inferior undercoating for cars tends to crack and then becomes a new place for moisture to hide-the bedliner stuff is likely far better,but if it were me I'd keep a close eye on it with that in mind as it ages.just a thought.

 

[rbryant1492_mfb]

Re: Do most old boats needs new floors?

Here is my big question the people ho say there floors are rock solid is why?
Was your boats kept dry, is the floor you have something other than wood.

 

[bouttime007]

Re: Do most old boats needs new floors?

Here is my big question the people ho say there floors are rock solid is why?
Was your boats kept dry, is the floor you have something other than wood.

My guess would be they stored the boat in a garage/boathouse, or kept it covered and dry when not in the water. - and no leaves/pineneedles rotting on the floor.

 

[usda]

Re: Do most old boats needs new floors?

The 73 Seaswirl I bought for a project boat...was one owner...well used until he just got too old. He keep it in a shed...until the shed collapsed from an especially heavy snow and broke the wind shield...he sold it to me...a few months later. The floor has a rubber type covering...and my 250 lbs has been unable to locate a soft spot. Even the seats are in good condition...the wood of the motor cover...at the very edges could be replaced. I believe that damage might have occurred in the last few rainy months...there was some rain water in the bilge area that sprayed out as the boat was being moved down the road.

Keeping my fingers crossed...so far every thing needed doing is relatively minor with the exception of the steering cable. The boat was used in salt water primarily. It seems as if keeping it stored saved a lot problems and he tried to maintain the boat up until recently. I intend to do the same. By using it in saltwater probably led him to take greater care than he might have done to a lake boat.

Also I read for winterizing...drain the water out of the motor and fill it with fuel oil...but clamping off the fuel pump with its neoprene whatever. I might give it a try this coming winter.