How to How to remove floor rot and explore the rest of hull

[jaesim]

Just trailered an 86 chaparral 215 xlc from 1000 Islands to Hampton Roads this past weekend. Was a gift from my father. Sat at dock for years in summer uncovered It was shrink wrapped when we picked it up. Just uncovered it to discover a soft spot in floor on the port aft side (not to mention all the rot on the bulkheads which I already new about). The floor is what concerns me. Soft spot is about a foot in diameter. Looked at engine too, looks brand new surprisingly, lower unit is only 3 years old. My question is how would I go about taking up carpet and looking for further wood rot underneath? Carpet is in good condition so I'm hoping not to ruin it. Also, is it possible to replace just that section of floor? I'm hoping since the lower unit was replaced 3 years ago that the transom is in decent condition, although I don't know much about boat repair and my husband definatly does not! Already scoped out a few places out here that carry marine grade plywood. Thanks for all you help!

 

[jaesim]

Re: How to How to remove floor rot and explore the rest of hull

Alright, just went back to boat today to close the little hole I made in the shrink wrap since we're expecting rain this weekend an we'll be in our camper. Decided to pull up carpet surrounding the engine on the side with the rotted floor. There was a small crack in the fiberglass overlay on the floor so that is where the water was getting in I'm assuming. Broke a chuck (2x4 inches) of the fiberglass off to see what was underneath. Part of the plywood was disintergrated. But just in that area that I could feel above the floor that was soft. Knocked around the surrounding floor board and sounded solid. 2x4 surrounding fiberglass that holds engine was solid too. Saw some yellow foam as well. It was not wet and was smooth and hard as a rock. Hope it's supposed to be like that. Didn't see any gap in the foam or pits/pockets where water could penetrate. Just solid foam. Hoping to just be able to replace that section of rot with some more marine grade plywood. I have a coworker who's husband does fiberglass fabrications for businesses. Hoping he can spray a few coats over floor once it's all said and done. Does this sound feesable? The carpet is still decent too. I just used scissors and cut a straight line. Should be able to just glue it back down. Also, this area is under moveable jumper seat in back anyway so hoping no one will look that close. Hopefully will know more in the next couple weeks when I have more time to fool around with it, like when school ends. Any suggestions or comments I will gladly take!

 

[KnightWolf]

Re: How to How to remove floor rot and explore the rest of hull

From reading a lot of post on here and from my own boat there is no such thing as a little spot of rot. Perhaps though if you got it as it just happened maybe? You could do some other test areas by cutting a small slit in the carpet and drilling a 1/2" test hole here and there in the deck to see what the wood looks like or if it is soft. If it is good you could fill holes in with 5200. Just my suggestion though there are many on here much more familiar with this.

 

[jaesim]

Re: How to How to remove floor rot and explore the rest of hull

Thanks for the input. When we get back from the lake this weekend I'll try that. What is 5200 though? I'll have to investigate. I also read that you can unscrew the depth finder and other things attached to the back of the boat and check how that wood looks as well when the screws come out. Then I would get a better picture of the wood in the transom. Told my husband if we had to get the transom rebuilt it still would be worth it because the boat was a gift though. I'd have to pay someone to do that. I don't think I'm that crafty!

 

[KnightWolf]

Re: How to How to remove floor rot and explore the rest of hull

5200 is a 3m marine sealant. Yes if you have things screwed in you could remove them and check for rot. If there is no rot when you check I would still put the sealant in the hole to make sure the water is kept out. And even a 1/4 inch hole would work to drill it would not have to be as big as 1/2 inch.

 

[jaesim]

Re: How to How to remove floor rot and explore the rest of hull

Alright, I decided to call a professional to give me an estimate of my damage. The place I called actually has a guy that does what he described as an x-ray of the boat that will show damaged/soft wood. Has anyone ever heard of this before? I guess you can tell what needs to be replaced without actually taking out the entire floor/hull. Or it gives a pretty good idea of what is damaged and the extent of the rot. Probably taking the boat in the next week. I'll keep updated on what I find out.

 

[jonesg]

Re: How to How to remove floor rot and explore the rest of hull

X ray boats?
sounds like nonesense, but the bottom line is this, if they price the repair reasonably it will be a half cowboy job. If they do it right it will be very expensive. Thats a fact.

From the description of sitting uncovered and the soft spots in the deck my money says the deck, stringers and transom are shot. Guarenteed.

A soft spot in the deck is fixed with a circular saw, cut the whole deck off and throw it overboard. If you fix the spot, the stringers are still rotted.

The last place rot shows up is in the deck, they rot from the wet foam and stringers....up. Not down.

Its not all bad news, I did mine last yr, the job is not that bad and its enjoyable. When done, the boat will be superior to factory new .

 

[clockwatcher]

Re: How to How to remove floor rot and explore the rest of hull

The "X-ray" is probably a marine osmosis analysis tool used to detect moisture in the hull.

 

[MTribe08]

Re: How to How to remove floor rot and explore the rest of hull

Just trailered an 86 chaparral 215 xlc from 1000 Islands to Hampton Roads this past weekend. Was a gift from my father. Sat at dock for years in summer uncovered It was shrink wrapped when we picked it up. Just uncovered it to discover a soft spot in floor on the port aft side (not to mention all the rot on the bulkheads which I already new about). The floor is what concerns me. Soft spot is about a foot in diameter. Looked at engine too, looks brand new surprisingly, lower unit is only 3 years old. My question is how would I go about taking up carpet and looking for further wood rot underneath? Carpet is in good condition so I'm hoping not to ruin it. Also, is it possible to replace just that section of floor? I'm hoping since the lower unit was replaced 3 years ago that the transom is in decent condition, although I don't know much about boat repair and my husband definatly does not! Already scoped out a few places out here that carry marine grade plywood. Thanks for all you help!

Sounds like this boat has sentimental value and that you are going to keep it for a while.

My advice if you do plan on keeping the boat, is to have the boat repaired correctly, or you'll be back in there doing it again soon. Like Jones said..a soft spot in the deck normally spells bad news underneath.

Its not THAT big of a deal, really. Just time consuming and at times some dirty stinky work. If you and your husband are limited in your abilities to take on the project, have somebody do it correctly. Best of luck.