Floor Patch

leerocks

Cadet
Joined
Jun 15, 2008
Messages
19
I have a 1995 Chapparal 1930 BR that I picked up with a new 4.3L EFI Mercruiser. The boat appears to have been used as a rental boat and is pretty beat up and well worn interior. I upon investigating the rot around hull storage found some soft spots in the floor. I being curious ripped the interior and carpet out and found spots under the seats and in front of hull storage. I dug out the soft spots less than a foot in diameter and the stringers and underneath appear solid, hopefully caught it in time but won't know for sure till it comes out. I am wondering if I can cut a 4x8 down the center which will cover the middle from front to back? I then will use epoxy per the general consenus in flooring posts with marine grade plywood and follow up with paint. Since the sides are in good shape is there a need to replace the complete floor or can I proceed with just the plan above? I also smell fuel and may need to replace the gas tank. Thank goodness it is mechanicaly sound and the price was good. Then next year will need gelcoat at least on the bottom of the hull.
 

mcbroomsear

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 18, 2008
Messages
39
Re: Floor Patch

How long are you planning on using the boat? If it's for a couple of seasons, It would probably be fine. If it's a long term investment, that might change things.

If it's soft, there's been water infiltration. Where there's infiltration in contact with unprotected wood, you've got rot. Rot is a fungus, it wont quit. Maybe you could just put some pressure treated down and use it the rest of the summer and when it gets nice and cold you can pull that out and get everything right on at the same time.

My little project is too far gone for any hope of this summer so I'm getting it all 100 percent for next spring.

Just my $.02
 

leerocks

Cadet
Joined
Jun 15, 2008
Messages
19
Re: Floor Patch

I have cut the floor out and found some rot caused from the top down and some of the stringers have rot up to 6 inches deep in spots but the bottom of them are fine and solid. I would like to reinforce with some wood on sides and fill with epoxy. Anyone have advice on this? I have sprayed down with bleach and have heat lamps going to th
 

leerocks

Cadet
Joined
Jun 15, 2008
Messages
19
Re: Floor Patch

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Solittle

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Apr 28, 2002
Messages
7,518
Re: Floor Patch

Bleach will not stop wood rot and heat lamps seldom will get it completely dry. Automotive antifreeze will kill fungus if you can inject it into the affected areas. Do a search on "anti freeze or anitifreeze". These are only patches. If you plan on keeping this rig do it right.
 

leerocks

Cadet
Joined
Jun 15, 2008
Messages
19
Re: Floor Patch

Thanks, I just brushed antifreeze in on everything. It won't be perfect, but there is enough solid wood there that I think if I reinforce the week spots and fill in with epoxy and coat everything down it should be much better than it is now.
 

leerocks

Cadet
Joined
Jun 15, 2008
Messages
19
Re: Floor Patch

Making good progress and trying to eliminate the weak points with the main one being the rot starting at the seams so I eliminated as many as possible. Trying photobucket for the first time, see below.


DSCI0329.jpg
 
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