New boat project, wood repair

[jjack010]

Greetings from Tx! Just bought an 87 VIP Vision this weekend and I'm going to need some help getting her back in the water. My experience working on boats is lacking, but I'm mechanically inclined and I'm willing to learn. I have tools and lots of experience repairing other things, just not boats.


I have some rot in the wood deck. This is my main concern. The area surrounding the storage in the center of the boat is wet and falling apart. I'm replacing what's bad, not the entire floor. I've already removed the seats and carpet, purchased wood and spar varnish and fiberglass resin and cloth. I'm going to sand and coat with 3 coats of the spar varnish.

If I have a good seal with the spar varnish, do I need to fiberglass the entire sheet of wood?

Is it neccessary to use the spar varnish if I'm glassing the whole sheet?


More than likely I will cover with carpet.





Thanks, in advance!

 

[Woodonglass]

Uhmm from the sound of it, You're gunna need to do a bit more work than what you're describing. I'd Strongly advise you to post some pics so we can see what you're dealing with. If it's as bad as you say, the repair you are proposing is not going to get your boat back into a good safe working condition.

 

[jjack010]

Test

 

[jjack010]

Deck

 

[jjack010]

Deck2

 

[jjack010]

 

[jjack010]

I believe someone made repairs before since I found two 2x4 supports near the rot. They were not glassed, look pressure treated.

 

[H20Rat]

There is no way your stringers are intact in that, transom is probably gone also. So you said you are replacing what is bad, so I'd start by gutting the boat and getting the entire thing down to raw fiberglass.

 

[jjack010]

I'll get some more tore down tonight.

 

[Woodonglass]

Uhhmmm, I think I'd have to agree with SC on this one... I'd Highly recommend you remove the entire deck and then check the condition of the Stringers AND the transom. I'm pretty sure you're gunna find it ALL needs replacing.

 

[tpenfield]

Yup, usually the problems go further than you think or would like. You can probably reach a fair amount of the stringers through the access hole (ski locker) and check them for moisture or rot.

Some of your decking may be OK, but bonding new to old could be a problem and not worth it, considering you should get a good look ate the entire structure.

 

[jjack010]

I just removed the foam from inside the walls. Does it have a functional purpose? If not, I think I would rather grind, then paint instead of putting plywood back up. Stringers look structurally sound but glass is thin in a few spots so I will reapply fiberglass. The foam filled area to the right of the gas tank is weak. Is there a name for this? The one on the opposite side is fine. As far as the deck goes, at its worst, the rot around that opening in the floor was about 8 in. Everything outside of that was solid on the deck.

 

[tpenfield]

The foam adds a fair amount of strength to the boat and provides flotation. If the foam is wet, then it should be taken out and replaced with the 2-part pour-in urethane foam that meets USCG requirements.

Not sure what area you are referring to as the area to the right of the fuel tank, but if you can post some additional pics, that may help with responses.

 

[jjack010]

I'll post pics tomorrow.. Thanks for the help so far.

 

[jigngrub]

How "black" does everything look below deck?

 

[jjack010]

The area inside of the ski storage was a little discolored, but no black. Just looked "weathered" but the glass did it's job. I have a plan for the floor.

The interior walls of the boat were coated with foam, then covered by wood walls. Not sure if someone added these wooden walls later. The foam was not wet, although it was separating from the wall. I removed it. Do I need to replace it? I don't think this serves as flotation, maybe sound dampening and to keep the walls a bit more rigid?

 

[jjack010]

Its 106 outside, can't wait to go home, crack a beer and start grinding fiberglass!:laugh:

 

[Rickmerrill]

Did you drill some test holes down low to look at the condition of the wood inside? Can't always tell by looking. Some more pictures would help us see what you're describing.

 

[jigngrub]

It would be unusual for the stringers on a boat with a rotten deck like the pic you posted in post #6 to be in good shape, not unheard of... but unusual.

I'd be curious to see some pics of them.

 

[jjack010]

Drilled the stringers at the lowest point in several locations. No black. This pick is the area I mentioned previously. It's on the starboard side, next to fuel tank. I have cut a good portion of the rot out and removed foam already. The port side has the same design. The wood is not that bad, but I'll redo since it's not great either. Each area was enclosed on all 4 sides, top remained open (built in seat 4 inches above). Is this the correct design? Recommendations for repairing this area? I'll get a good look at the bilge. At a quick glance, transom looks good. I didn't see any exposed, wet or black wood. I will inspect further.