SS Floor approach

[Starman8]

So this bozo put over $150 of marine grade 3/4" on top of a rotten floor with the vinyl. When I say rotten, I mean I can pull pieces by hand. The vinyl is the only thing holding the disintegrating original deck..........lol

On some of the models, like mine, the sidewalls have the flange that screws into the deck. Since you can't walk on the floor without falling in, I need to get large pieces out for safety reasons.

Would anyone suggest just loosening the screws(not removing) that hold the flange down to release the deck, yank it out, and move on?

I have also seen a few resto pics where the floor was removed leaving the consoles intact. I plan on removing them anyway for a custom rebuild, but just want to get the cockpit cleared. the flotation is the white stuff, not the pour in and what I have seen so far may allow me to reuse it?

Working a little backwards on this project taking advantage of the weather. Spent 2 days with orbital and removed the mess prior owner made down to his primer using various grits. She went from metallic silver to two coats of white primer and ready for topcoat before she gets inside. Did the boat, not the transom or hull yet, that will be after winter when the engine gets pulled.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: SS Floor approach

Reusing the white foam wouldn't be the worst thing but the white stuff does absorb water. The two boats I've done had some HEAVY white pieces in it. I'd rather see you go with noodles or the blue/pink sheet foam. I don't think I understand the question with regards to the flange. Wouldn't it be fairly easy to just removed everything completed? Also where's the pics??

 

[Starman8]

Re: SS Floor approach

The flotation floats like popcorn, very light.

Primer

Before

After

 

[barbosam]

Re: SS Floor approach

I don't 100% follow you on the flange idea, why just losen them instead of removing them completely?

I've seen a lot of guys reuse the white foam but I would not recommend doing that. That is open cell foam which means it can absorb water. the foams EZ describes are closed cell foams and are virtually inpenetrable by water.

Also, that white foam is very flammable (when its not water logged). I use that stuff at work a lot and its a big problem because it is such a fire hazard to have that stuff all over the place. All you need is one spark to fall under that deck and you have a major problem. If you've never a experienced a boat fire, trust me its scary, I would personally keep anything I know to be flamable off my boat. Yes its VERY HIGHLY unlikely for this to happen, but replacing it is cheap insurance.

 

[Starman8]

Re: SS Floor approach

I don't 100% follow you on the flange idea, why just losen them instead of removing them completely?

Basically saying the walls are in great shape, clean, so can't I remove the floor with the walls intact just releasing the floor they are attached too?

 

[fshngho]

Re: SS Floor approach

You may be able to Starman, but you may be spending a quarter to save a dime. In other words the side rails/walls are mounted on top of the floor as well as the braces. Even if You do get all the old out how are you going to install the new. You may be causing yourself more work by trying to skip steps. If you're going to remove the consoles anyway, just go for it.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: SS Floor approach

We're going to need to work on your photo posting. I'd recommend getting a photobucket.com account, uploading your photos there, and linking to them from here. You can even crop and resize them right on photobucket. Forum preferred size if 640x480.

 

[Starman8]

Re: SS Floor approach

I will work on the photos. Keep in mind I sold my 2000 Starfire 19' recently to cover some expenses and college fees. I needed a project to get back on the water. Other than the rehab, power, and structural issues, she will get modified like this:

I will copy the setup of the bow from my 2000. I will also rewire the entire boat to handle my needs. The consoles will be modernized. The trolling motor, electric windlass, saturn compass, trailer, are up for grabs at a later date. Many LED's will be added for night fishing and an aft deck that would be a true fish/ski setup.

For the SS 18 guys, imagine a wall built in the aft with homemade hinged access star and port swinging toward each sidewall concealed by boxed in seats that are removable and slide out if needed. The center section is a permanent mounted aft deck with swiveleze pin plate for seat/or ski tripod flanked by storage star and port within.

Under my splashwell is the trim motor and perm fuel tank. The house battery will reside under the star seat. Two batts will be housed in the bow for a 24v trolling motor.

My Star at a Lake Erie launch with my broinlaw roping.

 

[Starman8]

Re: SS Floor approach

By the way, just wanted to say that I call Steve at Starcraft. He is very open for discussion about hulls. My 2000 was sold to me as a bail-out because it was a leaker.

Seems that Starcraft had a design flaw, admitted by them. Fortunately, the fuel tank was in the center floor which provided easy access to the keelline and a Gluvit fix.

After I did that and put her back together, the leak slowed, but was still there a little. It was that dang keelstrip they riveted in with the open hollow back end. When that was handled, the boat was as dry as one could be.