How fast will rot spread under deck?

[tommyguns]

Hi all...I just purchased a 17 foot fiberglass CC Monark with a 70 rude on the back and its a sharp looking sled.....I knew a portion of the deck was soft when I purchased it but it wasnt till I got it home I saw that the stringer took a hit with water and the deck was softer than I thought.It rides great without any problems.The seat is a livewell coushon combo so I un screwed it and made a hole to check on the stringer situation and the foam is wet and the wood was the same.It was the right hand side that had the issues in the seat area..I know there is no way of telling how much is shot till the deck comes out but I was wondering if I could put it off till after the spring striper run in the Hudson bay? In other words its a small area and I dont know how fast the rot will spread ? 3 months,6months etc....Any help would be greatly appreciated...

 

[gcboat]

Re: How fast will rot spread under deck?

That's a really tough question to nail. Mold needs a few things in order to spread; temperature, moisture, etc. all play a big part in its ability to travel.
Without being able to control those factors it's pretty much a crap shoot.
I will tell you one thing though - just knowing that the bottom of my boat is rotting away would certainly make me very,very cautious while underway.
I think right now it all boils down to how good has your luck been lately?
I don't mean to come off sounding like the ogre of the boating community but it can be a pretty serious situation.
Might take her down to a boat place or two and have them do an inspection for you. That'd be my first step before I started charging around striper fishing.

 

[tommyguns]

Re: How fast will rot spread under deck?

I know what you mean ..about the cautious part...I just finished a rebuild in the spring and I am not really looking forward to tearing it up...I guess I am afraid what I might find in other places..Its looks are mint !! I cant bear the thought of putting a grinder to it...I guess I need a little push...

 

[78ImperialT]

Re: How fast will rot spread under deck?

you would probably be ok... i used my boat for about 6 months before i ever even washed it. i only fished out of it with just two people total. when i tore it down i couldnt believe the thing even floated much less held the stress and weight of the outboard.

i would think that as long as you know the area you are in and you dont have to worry about hitting anything then you will probably be ok.

 

[oops!]

Re: How fast will rot spread under deck?

one of the things that a few of us here on the forum are trying to do is get a time line on rot.....ive seen a section go from wood to crumbled mush in three seasons.......ive seen under decks go in little as one year.....so as said above....its a tough call.

but im confused.....as to when this fish run is?......is it in the spring?....then you have all winter to do an two week job.

if its in the fall.....go for it and keep a pfd on....fiberglass is a hull of a lot stronger than everyone gives it credit for.

cheers
oops

 

[tommyguns]

Re: How fast will rot spread under deck?

Yeah,the striper run is in the spring....But I am a hunting nut and I start scouting next week....I also do taxydermy so that doesnt leave me too much time for the restore....And Gobbler season is prior to the spring run...I know, way too much going on !!! I just hate to open her up!!! Once I start on something it consumes me.....