Floor is shot, where to start?

[Sailor77.7]

As you can see by the pics, the floor is cracked and broken in a few places. There are multiple soft spots all over it. I am not sure where to start or how to start in fixing this. I have order'd three books on fiberglass repairs and boat repair. I'm waiting for them to come in. I order'd the following:

1. "Fiberglass Repair and Construction Handbook
2. "The Fiberglass Boat Repair Manual"
3. "Runabout Renovation: How to Find and Fix Up an Old Fiberglass
Speedboat"

What do you think of my choices? Am I on the right track? They were order'd thru Amazon.com and I hope to get them in sometime this week.

I have never worked with fiberglass or done anything like this. The most experiece I have working on wood or other is building a bird house. LOL... I look forward to hearing what you all have to say to me on this and I will thank you all in advance for your support, help and idea's for this newbe to the restoration of a once great boat.

See my project: http://www.shareaproject.com/pages/projectTut,p,391,00.html

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Floor is shot, where to start?

I won't try to give you any pointers here sailor, beyond the fact that you better really like the boat, get great satisfaction out of making something your way, excited about learning new skills and are willing to part with some cash for both tools and supplies.

If none of these things get your heart a pumpin, then I'd be looking for a new boat. I will also add this. If you go thru with it, you will have a great sense of satisfaction and a great knowledge of how to work on and look at boats in the future.

The books you ordered will make good reading and let you know what you are in for. I don't mean to make it all sound bad. I for one get great satisfaction out of working on them but experience has shown me to choose my projects with great discernment. You don't want to go thru it all and end up with a pig in a poke.

That being said, it looks like the ol' boat is in fair shape. Floor work is going to be made more difficult due to the fact that it is a bowrider. This all makes it difficult to get into the front unless you seperate the hull and the deck. Many have done this, it is just more work.

More will chime in but until you look thru projects, here on iboats and read your books, you will not really know if you want to tackle this project.

Here is mine.

http://www.shareaproject.com/pages/projectTut,p,92,00.html

Right click on any pictures that you want to see bigger (0pen in new window) , then click on the image to enlarge. This will keep the main index open instead of having to keep doing the forward and back thing.

ps, your link does not point to your project tutorial.

 

[Sailor77.7]

Re: Floor is shot, where to start?

Boomyal,

Thanks for the great advice. I will most definately keep it in mind. I did take a closer look at the flooring and examined where the floor stops & the front of the hull begins. It basicly starts about 12" forward of the steering wheel. I do not think it will be as big a problem as I originally thought. Here's to hoping.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Floor is shot, where to start?

here's some good info. it was a boat similar to yours.

http://70silverline.250free.com/silverline.html

i do this as a hobby. it's dirty, messy then gets better. keep the projects small, so that you can see the progress, or you will get discouraged. steps 1 is demolition. 2 making it a safe boat. 3 then the cosmetics. now there is nothing better than being seen in a great running classic, thats paid for, while those guys in those BIG payments drool.

 

[Sailor77.7]

Re: Floor is shot, where to start?

tashasdaddy,

thanks for the post. It has some great information that I will definately take to heart. I'm not sure about my stringers and such but will find out when I take out the floor. I'll post more a bit later when I figure out why my project url is not working.

Vr,

sailor77.7