Tri Hull with Fiber Floor?

[oregonboatnewb]

I emailed this guy about his boat... asking about dry rot, soft spots, and he told me the entire boat is fiberglass... that it doesn't have wood floors... Do they make such a thing ?

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/boa/1001820299.html

 

[JB]

Re: Tri Hull with Fiber Floor?

Howdy, OBN.

Welcome to iboats.

Boats don't have floors, they have decks. Cockpits have soles.

I seriously doubt that that T'bird has a solid glass transom. The sole probably has wood under a glass topping, too.

Don't accept any info about rot other than from your own inspection.

 

[haskindm]

Re: Tri Hull with Fiber Floor?

The "floor" is often fiberglass or plywood coated with fiberglass. The stringers under the floor that support the floor and give strength to the hull (like the rafters and floor joists in your house that support the sheet-rock and floor) are wood. The strength member in the transom is also probably wood (sandwiched between two thin layers of fiberglass). If this wood is allowed to get and stay wet, it is subject to rot. Almost all boats have some wood in them for strength. There are some that are all fiberglass but they are rare. Most have either wood or fiberglass encased wood stringer and transom. These need to be checked to make sure that they are not rotted. If the stringers or plywood in the floor sandwich are rotten the floor often "gives", that is what is referred to as a soft spot in the floor. This needs to be checked by someone who knows what they are looking for as the repairs can be very expensive and often cost more than the boat is worth. The owner apparently has no clue. You need a knowledgeable person to help you check out this boat. A Marine Survey is an excellent idea. It may cost a little up front but can save thousands in unexpected repairs.

 

[eaglejim]

Re: Tri Hull with Fiber Floor?

My Tri-Hull has a fiberglass deck and under the fiberglass is wood, on top of the deck is carpet

 

[oregonboatnewb]

Re: Tri Hull with Fiber Floor?

Thats what i thought, i told him they were wood with light fiber on top, and if he had it inspected, boat and motor, i would be interested in it after that...

him

"To be honest, Im not much the boat person. I got from a guy about 4 years ago that it was just sitting in his back yard. he'd start it once a year. I cleaned it up, the steering was froze, so i bought a new steering cable and wheel, ear muffed it and ran it , bought a new prop, took it out on the water that year probly 5 times. Its ben over at my mothers house since. Im sure i could get it runnin again. Just thought it would be a good project boat for someone intrested. And the trailer included obviously.. I just through a number out there for price.."

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Tri Hull with Fiber Floor?

Hey take a look and see what it is..... carry some cash. If you do hear it run on muffs be sure to look for water circulation and make sure it is not cooking!

 

[Mark42]

Re: Tri Hull with Fiber Floor?

Some boats were made with solid fiberglass decks and stringers. A few models by MFG in the 60's and early 70's were made that way. But they did have plywood transoms.

Do some research on t-bird boats. They may have been built the same way, maybe not. You won't know unless you check. Fiberglassics.com is a good place to start, they have info on may makes and models of fiberglass boats.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Tri Hull with Fiber Floor?

Unless someone replaced all of the wood in that boat with another material, it has wood stringers, floor and transom.

Here's what my 1975 Thunderbird cathedral hull looked like when I bought it.

Here's a view of the stringers after I removed part of the rotted floor.

It is possible that the seller just doesn't know that there is wood in the boat, but I would still view him with caution. Whether this is an innocent mistake, or a intentional attempt to "buffalo" you, I wouldn't take anything he says as being worth much.