Hull Ispection and Repair

Zero Balance

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 11, 2007
Messages
152
I have a 37 year old Slickcraft SS235 V-hull. The floor, transom and motor well are all solid. The fuel tank is centered on the floor and runs from the motor box forward to the well at the helm. All this material (side walls) appear solid except for the forward 12" on one side (starboard) and the forward bulkhead that makes up the rear wall of the well.

The floor of the well itself is soft. I plan on cutting out the well and replacing the floor in this section. I will be using treated ply and covering it with cloth/glass then a coat of non skid epoxy to match what I already have on the rest of the floor.

When I cut away the well floor area I plan to do further inspections of the forward stringers where I expect to find either soft,decintegrated or delaminated material at the forward floor and stringer section.

Here is my question. The opening I will create in the well floor will be approx. 18x52 or so inches. I am pretty sure the area I will be dealing with the stringers will be directly underneath. How much room would be expected to be sufficient to strenghthen or replace a portion of the stringers.

Here's the information I have in regard what I experience when running the boat.

Soft floor at helm well, hull makes a "snapping or slapping sound" as the boat runs through heavier seas. this leads me to believe there is some sort of seperation between the hull and stringer. Through a visual review under the boat (on a trailer) the hull (bow) feels more plyable in the suspected area than the rest of the hull.

I plan on getting involved in this repair this fall following the fishing season and after researching everything I'll need to know to affect these repairs.
Is there any advice or personal experience one could offer prior to my getting started?

Any help would be appreciated.
 

Todd Peterson

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jun 27, 2008
Messages
76
Re: Hull Ispection and Repair

I am in the same boat with you. I will be taking up my floor and replacing/beefing up stringers and motor mount beam. I will be getting a hands on lesson with plywood and fiberglass. My father in-law has been building boats for 50 years and he recommended to me the other day to use kevlar mesh and a two part epoxy. I may try that with my stringers by my motor mount and stringers to beef them up.
 
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