Small soft spot in floor

[neurotox]

I have an inboard/outboard that has a soft spot the size of 2" by 6". I know that the fix is to cut out the "cancer" and replace with new wood. But here's the issue. The soft spot is right underneath the engine cover, it's the wood that sort of over hangs near the engine compartment, so there is only a stringer along one side, the rest of the wood faces the engine compartment. So if I cut the old wood out, supporting it will be difficult, it's not a part of the floor that gets a lot of foot traffic, and there's a fuel line right underneath the wood.

So is there an alternative to pulling that wood out? The rest of the boat is in immaculate shape. I'm not concerned about the stringers or other extensive damage.

 

[Marcq]

Re: Small soft spot in floor

Use a router with a cutting bit set just deep enough to go trough the first layer of glass and the wood without touching the bottom layer of glass, once this is done, take the rotten wood out, replace the wood re glass and voila!!
Another way of doing it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqELnDPR0hQ

Marc..

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Small soft spot in floor

Interesting..... why that spot would rot and not others...... it's similar to cancer and when one spot is found there may be more.

 

[allpoints360]

Re: Small soft spot in floor

Interesting video. Not very detailed, and just a few of the high points.

Like those car shows that "show" you to replace a rocker panel. Riiiight.

 

[Marcq]

Re: Small soft spot in floor

Interesting video. Not very detailed, and just a few of the high points.

But the rest it's pretty easy to figure it out, Personally I love those "How to" video's

Marc..

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Small soft spot in floor

Have you seen rot? May be just a delaminated veneer. With any luck it will be just a cut and fill.