My first post and already asking for help...

veritas honus

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 13, 2010
Messages
1,876
Greetings folks,

Please allow me to intoduce myself as this is my first post. I'm a Critical Care Transport Paramedic for one of the larger hospitals in Southwest Georgia. I was previously a career Firefighter, now a Volunteer Firefighter/1st responder in my home community. I'm a "Darn Yankee" very happily married to a beautiful "Georgia Peach". We have two sons, seven and two years old. I have a respectable amount of expierience as a boater having been an avid scuba diver, spearfisherman, and fisherman for many years. I am not, however, a very experienced boat owner. I'm extremely fortunate (to say the least) to have been given a Chaparral 2050 SLC by my Father-in-Law. The boat is in beautifull condition and has been very well maintained with one exception... The bolts holding the pilot chair down were replaced by the original owner of the boat with wood screws. It seems as though they were replaced more than once, each time getting larger. The deck under the chair, especially around the screws, is flaking and no longer holds the screws. There seems to be no moisture, yet the plywood under the cracking fiberglass is falling apart causing the chair to be unsecure. My Father-in-Law told me I'll need to cut out the area under the seat, replace the plywood, and reglass it by slipping fiberglass mesh a few inches under the surrounding fiberglass all around the new plywood after securing it, and then pour on the new fiberglass resin. I plan to drill the plywood and secure washers and nuts to the underside prior to installation to secure the chair solidly with bolds (all hardware to be stainless steel). If the damage extends any farther than the plywood, then I'll of course address those issues as well. Any advice, thoughts, comments, and especially guidance will be VERY much appreciated. I'll thank all of you in advance for your help with this.

veritas honus
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,079
Re: My first post and already asking for help...

My Father-in-Law told me I'll need to cut out the area under the seat, replace the plywood, and reglass it by slipping fiberglass mesh a few inches under the surrounding fiberglass all around the new plywood after securing it, and then pour on the new fiberglass resin.

Ayuh,... Depending on the extent of the Rot,...
You might get by, by drilling oversized holes,+ refilling 'em...
Or,...You might have to replace a substantial portion of the deck....

Btw,... Resin, by itself is brittle,+ has No support.... Always use Glass fiber of some sort with it...
 

capt sam

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 14, 2009
Messages
878
Re: My first post and already asking for help...

install a backing plate when you do it and you shouldn't have issues for a long time.
 

Bob_VT

Moderator & Unofficial iBoats Historian
Staff member
Joined
May 19, 2001
Messages
26,064
Re: My first post and already asking for help...

Welcome to iboats! :D

Not a difficult fix ;) I could recommend some stainless steel T bolts sold here on iboats however, regardless of what bolts you use....it sounds like there is a primary issue with the decking.

Bond-o is correct.... resin alone is of no real value without the cloth. capt sam is correct and a backing plate sure helps.

I would cut open the deck with a circular saw with the blade set at a 45 degree angle. This will allow the piece to be removed and replace without it falling through.

I would get a piece of aluminum (such as an old street sign ;)) to be used under the pedestal (under the decking)......or at least a chunk of plywood to make the deck thicker and spread the load.

Once ready I would fiberglass it in place (epoxy is my choice) and re-install the pedestal using T bolts. You could pre-install stainless bolts through the deck and have studs sticking through if you like.

I will move this to restoration ;)
 

veritas honus

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 13, 2010
Messages
1,876
Re: My first post and already asking for help...

BOB VT,

It's been a while now, but thank you again for your suggestions. You'd mentioned "some stainless steel T bolts sold on iboats", but I could not find them. Would you please help me out with an item number. Are you refering to toggle bolts? And if so, do you think that toggle bolts are the best solution? Thank you again!!!
 

Wingedwheel

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jun 16, 2009
Messages
1,071
Re: My first post and already asking for help...

Welcome to I-boats as the others said. If your going to replace the ply under the seats, your better off going with the reinforcement plate. You'll never have to worry about it again.
 
Top