Replacing wood flooring

[sberl]

Hi all,

I purchased a 1987, 16' MirroCraft last week.


The carpet and wood are shot so I planned to replace them. The plywood flooring is screwed to the hull and most areas I can access the screws no problem. However, the flooring runs under the foam filled compartments just an inch or so and of course there are screws under there that I cannot access. Those compartments can be seen on the left and right in this picture near the back (a roll of masking tape is setting on the one on the right). I wasn't intending to do a total restore on this boat so the only thing I can think of is to run a dremel down the plywood on each side and just leave the old wood in place under those compartments. Looking for other ideas though as this is my first time at this.

Thanks!

 

[Woodonglass]

You might consider using a multitool to cut the screws with under the compartments.

 

[sberl]

I've already run a dremel down both sides so the floor will just lift out. There are two sheets of plywood that are tied into what looks like a 2x4 on edge in the center of the floor so I'll need to wait until I have help to lift it out. I'm trying to keep it intact for a template. That wood is so waterlogged if I put any pressure on it water just drips off. After the floor is out I'll be able to just dig out the remaining wood under the foam and cut the screws like you said.

What's the best material to replace that 2x4 running down the center of the hull? I know treated lumber is not an option but I'm not sure what I can put there that will not end up rotting. If it's not clear what I'm talking about, I should be able to get pics of it in a day or two.

 

[gm280]

sberi, :welcome: aboard to iboats. Great to have you join us...

I have to say I see great potential with your new-to-you boat.

I second WOG's suggestions with a multi-tool to cut off the screws. And by all mean get every little bit of that rotted soaked wood out. The hull will perform a 100% better without all the dead weight.

One thing that stuck out to me, and that is because I had a serious problem with a similar situation before, remove that bolt threaded section towards the top of the light arm on the starboard rear section of the trailer. I see it sticking out and that is an invitation for both cutting people and damaging the boat when you are loading it up. I know from experience what a sharp protruding item like that can do. It looks high now, but when you have the trailer backed in the water at an angle, that protruding bolt will be so much closer to the water allowing the boat to possibly hit it. Just an idea.



Also, I'd like to tag along with your rebuild if that's okay. JMHO

 

[sberl]

Thanks for the welcome GM! Ya, the trailer needs about as much work as the boat. I didn't notice that bolt though so thanks for pointing it out!
By all means you can tag along! At first I was just going to replace the wood and carpet. I am now I am seriously mulling over stripping the paint and doing the outside too. We only have a 2 car garage so my car is outside now while I work on this. I don't want to toss anything until I've got the replacement stuff in. The garage is starting to get filled with the junk I've pulled out. My wife has already complained that the garage is starting to look like a junkyard haha.