Floor rot spot...now what?

[Purduebarry]

I just started on what I hoped was a small spot of floor rot. Wow! I finally found good wood towards the bow about two to three feet from the soft spot. I'm working my way back and have already removed most of the back seat and floor next to the engine. This is the entry point from the swim deck and probably wet all the time. <br /><br />A few questions...<br /><br />I've just about gotten to the motor mount. I have a 5.0L in a 1988 Bayliner. The stringer that runs into the engine bay and forward seems solid, the rot was mostly decking. However I'm not sure what the motor mount block is made of. It seems to be about 6"x8"x10" Did they blow big box of fiber and resin or is this wood too? Given the weight I was hoping it was not wood meaning I don't even want to think of pulling the motor.<br /><br />Next, the fiber over the wood which is in good shape I'm pretty sure is poly, it is painted white with blue splatter. There are random hairline cracks in this. I was planning to replace all carpet but wanted to know if I should seal this first. That's probably how the water got in to begin with and rotted the whole area. <br /><br />What should I seal it with? What should I do to prep it first, sand, remove old carpet glue etc. Will I get good adhesion with Epoxy resin alone? Or should I go with a new coat of poly assuming that's what's on there currently?<br /><br />Lastly, do I need to cut out and refoam the areas where I am replacing the decking or can I just put in the new decking and squirt some cheap stuff to fill the voids? It seems dry and not loaded with water.

 

[dmarkvid2]

Re: Floor rot spot...now what?

My motor mounts seemed fine, but of course they were rotted. Good motor mounts are critical for keeping the engine and drive aliened. Make sure you know they are good.<br /> A good way to refoam if you want to is to buy 2" pink industrial foam, and epoxy sheets together to get your thickness. IE: 2x5=10" they come 8' long. Then just cut them to fit the shape you need to fill the space. They wont rot, or hold water.<br /> Also instead of carpet (that retains water) check this out. One piece anti-slip vinyl flooring. The water justs rolls off.<br /><br /> http://www.garysupholstery.com/ntomarfloor.html

 

[Purduebarry]

Re: Floor rot spot...now what?

I read your tip on another thread. I think I'll go back with 4lb. I want the rigidity in the area around the motor. It was really firm when I dug it out and I doubt I can get the pink stuff as tight as I want. What do you recommend for the deck that is okay. Meaning what should I seal it with? There is a thin layer of glass, (painted so I guess it is poly) over the original wood but it has hairline cracks and might seep more water. What should I seal it with? More glass, expoxy resin, poly?

 

[dmarkvid2]

Re: Floor rot spot...now what?

I would seal it with an epoxy resin, using glass (if you wanted) you also might want to sand or grind off that paint before you put a coat of resin on. The reason I suggested that marine vinyl because its one piece, and there won't be any seams to let water get into. Thats what you are concerned about right?, the water? How wide is your beam? because this flooring is 72" wide, and all you would have to buy is the lenth of your floor. I would always use an epoxy resin. The only time I would use a poly, is if I were using it in a fiberglass mould, and then gel coat.

 

[Purduebarry]

Re: Floor rot spot...now what?

Thanks for the tip, I finally learned how to post pics, this is the point I've gotten to. I have it all clean and ready for reassemble.

<br /><br />I'm a bit bummed about the motor mount, the deck was mushy around/above the block that frames the mount. You can see how close I got...in the picture. I have no idea if water made it in there. I'm going to syringe it full of resin and pray, no way to remove motor if I want to boat at all this summer. I should have done this work over the winter! More pics as I proceed!