How should i go??

[lennyb]

Im new to this forum and boating and have a question. I have a 1985 four winns (17.5') and I need to replace the floor and im gonna asume i'll also need to replace the stingers as well, i have a extremely soft spot, center floor right above the gas tank and the wood that the removeable section screws to is also rotted. I have an open bow and noticed that right where you start to step up front its also a little soft under the glass floor. Now here's my question..I've heard people talking about seperating the halves? How hard is this to do and more important how hard is it to get it back together. Or should i just try to repair with the halves intact?

 

[JDA1975]

Re: How should i go??

Pictures would help, My cap was not hard to remove at all, my biggest problem was finding man power to help me. Removing the cap has made working on the hull for me way easier. I could not imagine trying to work around so much stuff. I am new to this as well, my first restore, and this site is invaluable for information.

 

[proshadetree]

Re: How should i go??

Unless you have access to all the soft spots you will wind up with a patch together boat that might suffer structurally. Removing the cap is not as difficult as it seems. This will allow you to replace all the hidden wood. Unless your boat is an open design like my baylinner cuddy was I will say that cap removal is almost mandatory. Make a measurement before you separate and brace the hull at the same figure before you install the floor to ease reassembly.

 

[lennyb]

Re: How should i go??

Thanks guys..And pics are soon to come. The only other thing i noticed is i was statring to remove heavy oxidation today and when looking under the boat for the first time i noticed that along the lower center line the paint is completely gone (approx 2" across and three feet long) to the point where i can see the underlying fiberglass but i see no cracks or other damage in the area. Ive had the boat out a dozen times this season with no water intrusion problems so far. Does this sound like something i can just repair with a marine epoxy and just repaint the bottm or is this probally gonna turn into something larger? The boat has a new motor, new interiour, etc.. and runs great and so far me and my family have had a blast on it fishing / tubing / etc..

 

[proshadetree]

Re: How should i go??

Sounds like it needs to be re gelled. My baylinner needs it to. I paint once a year with epoxy appliance paint and just ride on. Has worked for three years so far.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: How should i go??

Bump for pics .

4 winns are normally fairly simple to uncap. Please update when you can.

OH..and your probably in for a tad bit more work then just a few deck soft spots ( you never know though ).

YD.