Fiberglass subfloor??

[metalmanbc2000]

I went to start ripping the floor out of my boat and found that there was a fiberglass subfloor in it that seems to be attatched to the stringers. I was wondering if anyone had any experience dealing with something like this or any suggestions.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Fiberglass subfloor??

What year/make/model boat? Also pictures help a lot. If the sub floor is solid, I would leave it alone. Sounds like someone put ply over the original deck. Usually there are reasons for this sort of modification. Clean off all the old ply and examine what is left. A fiberglass deck and stringer system is a nice plus to have. Is it an MFG?

 

[metalmanbc2000]

Re: Fiberglass subfloor??

As best as i can tell my boat is an older thermoglass. There are no markings or anything on the boat. I dont have any pictures of the inside of the boat yet. What do you mean by MFG?

 

[Mark42]

Re: Fiberglass subfloor??

As best as i can tell my boat is an older thermoglass. There are no markings or anything on the boat. I dont have any pictures of the inside of the boat yet. What do you mean by MFG?

MFG is a company that used to make boats with fiberglass decks and stringers. (MFG = Molded Fiber Glass) They got out of the boat building business in the late 70's/early 80's and now make truck bodies and OEM body parts for GM's Corvette.

 

[metalmanbc2000]

Re: Fiberglass subfloor??

I've been searching around the internet and i am convinced that my boat is a thermoglass. Can't narrow it down to a certain year though.

If i were to remove the ply over the fiberglass subfloor and find that the subfloor is in bad condition what should i do? refiberglass it? Rip it out and put ply down?

 

[metalmanbc2000]

Re: Fiberglass subfloor??

If i have a fiberglass floor underneath of my plywood floor and it attaches to the stringers does that mean that my stringers are made of fiberglass?

 

[Mark42]

Re: Fiberglass subfloor??

No guarantee that the stringers are 'glass. Just have to dig into it to find out. My guess is the ply is a patch job.

If you find out things are not strong, then it can be removed and traditional plywood stringers and deck installed. No rules that say you have to put back exactly what was there. General consensus is cdx plywood stringers and deck installed with poly resin is plenty strong and will probably last longer than you will own the boat.

 

[metalmanbc2000]

Re: Fiberglass subfloor??

Thanks for the advice. Hopefully it doesnt all go to hell in a handbasket! lol