How hard is it to replace the floor?

[jailermac]

I have begun a repair project on a boat. I am buying a 1970 Newman, tri-hull, from a friend, I got a great deal for the boat and motor(92 evinrude 48SPL). How ever the boat really needs some work. I had to cut out most of the middle of the floor deck due to soft spots and rotting. Once I removed it I found that all of the foam under it was water-logged and ruined so had to remove it also. I am unable to remove the beams that run the length of the boat, but did replace two of the width supports. I was going to add spacers to the beams to bring the floor up, due to the floor curve due to it being a tri-hull. Then lay down 1/2" - 3/4" plywood, spray expansion foam underneath, and then attempt to lay fiberglass on top to seal it in. Is this the right thing to do or am I putting more time and effort into this than I really should? Would I be better off saving the money and buy a new hull and put my motor on it?

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: How hard is it to replace the floor?

hulls are cheap mac, motors are expensive<br /><br />that being said, ask yourself, do I really love this hull? <br /><br />if the answer is yes, then by all means, go ahead and get a book called Runabout Renovation by Jim Anderson, youll spend over a grand doing the boat right, but youll have a boat that is better than new, and when a storm comes along and starts slamming you silly, you wont have to worry about the engine ripping the rotted transom off - and if you think the boat is having a hard time staying afloat in those waves, Imagine how youll be doing!<br /><br />of course, if the answer is no, well, find a hull ya really like, make sure its good (get the book!) and power it up!<br /><br />

 

[catfish1]

Re: How hard is it to replace the floor?

if your going to replace the floor, search project skanky beast! jason j did an excellent job on his boat and has pictures to see step by step. it is a pain in the butt, but it is also rewarding. if done right you will have confidence in the boat, and you'll know what is in the boat! the stringers should be cut out if their rotting, down to the hull. in my opinion, cutting out the floor and stringers is the worst part, its all downhill from there! because you will start seeing progress. an angle grinder works wonders on fiberglass, be carfull not to cut through the hull. scrap the spray foam idea! you'll need two part urethane foam, its cheaper and better. just get some rubber gloves and use them for the foam and resin, and wear the nastiest clothes you own. everyone here will help you through anything you need.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: How hard is it to replace the floor?

As Castaway said, you gotta really love that hull to go through the suffering. You really do need to take her down to the bare shell and start from scratch to do it right, and it is dusty and dirty. The only reason I did it with my tri-hull was because it was suitable for a center console conversion.

 

[evin300]

Re: How hard is it to replace the floor?

A chainsaw to remove the floor and transom will save a lot of work!