need help please!!!!

[wildcat8466]

first year owning a boat and already need to end the boating season. I started feeling a soft spot ,of course after I bought the boat this year, Did enjoy most of the season and I decide to pull the carpet up and this what I saw, I attached a picture, it is better than I could explain it. I don't have a clue on fixing boats but I do classify myself a jack of all trades, I just need a little help and advise on repairing the floor.
It seems like the spot is approx. 24 in. by 15 in. and also the upper floor is bad by the battery. It seams like since this is the only path from the outside ladder to inside the boat this is where the most traffic was. There is no other damage as I can see, but there is foam that is below the rotting wood, so if you can show me the right way to fix this. Don't tell me to throw the boat away. Ha Ha I am a ver y quick learner once I understand what needs to be done.. thanks

 

[Joe_the_boatman]

Re: need help please!!!!

Take a big screwdriver, and tap the handle all over the floor. Start with a solid area - you'll be able to recognize the sound when you come to an area of wood rot (hollow sound).

What I would do: Mark all the bad spots with a marker (make a circle). Peel off the fiberglass in the circle until you get to good wood.
Buy some plywood of the same thickness.
Make a rough estimate of the hole, and cut out a piece of the plywood that's larger than the damaged area.
Lay the new plywood over the rotted area, and trace an outline.
Use a circular saw, set at 1/2" depth (or the depth of your deck's existing floor) and cut out the hole you just traced.
If it needs support under it, place a few 1X2's underneath (each larger than the hole) and secure them to the existing floor.
Get rid of any rotted wood, and let the area dry out. Spray with ethylene glycol (antifreeze) to kill any other wood rot. Let dry.
Fasten the new plywood to the supports (if used).
Use a poly fiberglass kit to seal it all up. Don't forget to add epoxy over any screws you've put through the floor.

Check the transom, too. Hopefully, it's fine. Anytime you make a hole into the deck or transom, make sure it's sealed really good.

 

[wildcat8466]

Re: need help please!!!!

what about the foam that is under the plywood ,do I need to do anything to it?? I'll try to attach a pic again so you can see what trouble I have.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: need help please!!!!

depends on if it is wet.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: need help please!!!!

couple of ways to post pictures http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=193245

 

[Robj]

Re: need help please!!!!

Sorry Joey but I disagree with your suggestion for the repair. If you have rot in a few areas, the rest of the floor is probably in poor condition also and it is more likely a complete floor replacement, not a patch job. The foam is most likely saturated, and the stringers and transom should be check out also. At the very least, these should be checked to make sure they are in good condition.

Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[wildcat8466]

Re: need help please!!!!

I did check the foam and it was really wet in the rear so I started tearing it out and the closer I got to the front it seemed real dry. I just squared it off. I would post pics but I think my pics are to large to add as a attachement.
the old deck that I cut out is real close to the hull in the rear but as you get to the front it is about 6-8 inches away, with looks like fiberglass attached to hull and deck. do I grind or cut the existing fiberglass all the way to the hull or just prep the fiberglass from wher the old deck ended????

 

[wildcat8466]

Re: need help please!!!!

here are pics of the beginning of the problem.