Seaswirl decking attaching

[Larry E]

Can someone tell me if the original decking on a 1974 Seaswirl V hull 16 foot boat is glued down or are there screws holding it down? I cannot tell because of the carpet glue on the decking.

Thanks
Larry E

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Seaswirl decking attaching

You may not be able to tell even with the glue removed. They fastened the decking down and then fiberglass over the decking and screws if it was screwed.

I would guess that they screwed the decking down because that is the quickest and easiest way.

You can set a skil saw for 1/8" deep and run it on each side of the stringer and then pry the fiberglass up with a wood chisel or small flat bar to find the screws if they're there and you know where your stringers are.

How much of the decking are you removing?

 

[Larry E]

Re: Seaswirl decking attaching

You may not be able to tell even with the glue removed. They fastened the decking down and then fiberglass over the decking and screws if it was screwed.

I would guess that they screwed the decking down because that is the quickest and easiest way.

You can set a skil saw for 1/8" deep and run it on each side of the stringer and then pry the fiberglass up with a wood chisel or small flat bar to find the screws if they're there and you know where your stringers are.

How much of the decking are you removing?

I hope to only have to remove the rear portion from the transom to just in front of the bilge area. How do I know where the stringers are?
Thanks
Larry E

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Seaswirl decking attaching

How do I know where the stringers are?
Thanks
Larry E

Well, if you're like me you'll hit one of the screws in the stringer with the saw blade when you're cutting out the desired area!

Set your skill saw for 5/8" deep and cut the perimeter of the area you want to remove, you may be able to look into the saw cut and see the stringer... but you'll probably have better luck prying the decking up with a flat bar or a heavy screwdriver. If your decking is wet or rotten it should pull out quite easily.