Have a 1986 20' Swittzer Open Bow - how do I even get started at replacing flooring>

[newenglandguy]

Have a 1986 20' Swittzer Open Bow - how do I even get started at replacing flooring>

This is my first boat, and now after getting the "bugs" out of the motor, it's time to get ready to replace the flooring. It's a little spongy in a few spots, so I figured I'd take a few days off from work mid-week and replace it. Is this a project one can complete in two days? How do I even get started getting it up? It's covered with carpet, so is it just a matter of getting a utility knife and "hacking and slashing"?

Looking for any tips, and especially would like to see pics if anyone has done a Switzer before.

 

[wildvortex]

Re: Have a 1986 20' Swittzer Open Bow - how do I even get started at replacing floori

Welcome to the boating world. I have been researching doing just the same thing with my 94 bayliner. from what I am seeing and pretty much knew all along is that this is going to be a LONG project. Don't think you will even come close to a replacement in just 2 days. first you will need to remove the carpet...the easy part. You will be looking at cutting away the decking which should be fiberglassed to the hull of the boat. from there you might even be looking at replacing the stringers as well. these also will have to be cut from the hull. you will need the plywood. preferably marine plywood. If not then a quality plywood rated for exterior. Either will still need to be fully encapsulated in fiberglass and resin prior to being installed. so as you can see this will be a long project. not to mention that if you have to replace the stringers and have a roller trailer instead of a good bunk trailer then you will have to build a frame to lift the boat off the trailer. take a look at this thread as most boats all have the same common properties. http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=234392

 

[wildvortex]

Re: Have a 1986 20' Swittzer Open Bow - how do I even get started at replacing floori

Just to get some ideas there are several videos on youtube doing deck repair and replacement. I don't know how much rot you have on the deck and nothing was mentioned about the stringers but you may be able to do a localized repair to the deck. but when you say several I would assume that full replacement would be your best option.

 

[produceguy]

Re: Have a 1986 20' Swittzer Open Bow - how do I even get started at replacing floori

If you want to do this right, you need to check your transom as well as your stringers for rot. Most of the time, if your floor is bad, your transom is also.
You need a 4 to 6 inch grinder with some flap discs and a 3m respirater
To remove your deck, pull up the old carpet, Set your saw blade to 1/4 of a inch. For now leave a 1 to 1 1/2 " lip around the eges. Be carefull cutting. Then pry up the old floor. Check your foam for water intrusion. Drill test stringers and transom. If all is good start grinding that lip around the eges.If the top of the stringers need to be cleaned from the old floors glue or adhesive, then do so. After you have the lip grinded to the hull and you need to grind about 6 inches up the hull were the deck well lay. Your trying to get a nice clean surface that your new tabbing will adhere to.
You need to buy your good ext ply first and let it dry out for about a week.If you buy MGP, it will not need to dry. Make a template with some cheap foam from HD if you like and trace it on to the ply, cut it out, See if she fits if yes, Encase it with fiderglass.
You can use pl premium or epoxy to glue down your new deck, You spread your adhesive on top of your stringers and then lay down your deck or you can use ss screws covered with 5200 to screw it down.
When you get that far you need to tab in the sides with glass.
Can you do this in two days? I will tell you to take your time and make sure it's right.

Good luck.

 

[wildvortex]

Re: Have a 1986 20' Swittzer Open Bow - how do I even get started at replacing floori

This is what produceguy is talking about.

Definatly DO NOT just put plywood over the top of the rotted wood. PO did that on mine. EVERYTHING rotted