How do you fix a boat floor?

[Deezul1]

I have a 17' glass boat with 100hp outboard and the floor got soft. I have removed part of it and there is a 1" thick stringer from front to back in the center and the hull is filled with foam. My question is do you attach the plywood floor to the stringer or let the floor "float" and just glass it to the edges? Do you want it ridgid or flexible? Any and all suggestions are welcome as I dont have a clue what I am doing. TIA

John

 

[Joe G.]

John,



I don't really have much of a clue about toy boats. My experience is with diesel powered fish boats in the forty foot class. However, take a look at how the old one is in there. Check for screws that have been counter sunk with plugs finished so they are hard to see. It may be just glued. If it is then you will need marine glue. Also notice the joints. There may be some bevels involved. Make sure that you use marine plywood because that stuff is made with the same plys for all layers and no voids. Water resistant glue for the plys. Thus the cost!! Other plywood has inferiour plys for the inner plys. Plywood is pretty flexible so unless it has to be removable for some reason it will be fastened down somehow.

 

[The patriot]

I was told by a neighbor (builds yachts) to get "regular" plywood, then coat the hell out of it with epoxy after it's cut to size.

I had a 19' Grady White w/ 140 Evenrude. I believe it was screwed down, but I never actually pulled it up.

Eric

 

[Alaskaskiff]

If you have access to a West Marine, they have a very good book put out by the Gudgeon (sp?) brothers that costs about $20.



Since the floor is exposed I would lean towards marine plywood, due to lack of voids and slightly better construction. Exterior grade would work too. Ditto on coating both sides, but you may want to glass it as well. While not having seen you boat, most have the deck sealed into place, meaning that once you have put the deck down, you need to glass it in place.



The way the deck fastens is a factor in whether or not it is structural to the boat or just inserted as a higher deck level. If structural it needs to be fastened to the boat securely (ribs or longitudinals)



This is an excellent boat site that is free. Go to the boat section and fire away with your concerns. Go back to the [general] section then [boats]



http://www.iboats.com/forums/boat_engines/



For the reasons you described, my boat is 1/4" aluminum!!!



Good luck

 

[Deezul1]

I plan to glass the floor to the sides as that is the way it was built and it will be completly glassed all over when done but whether to fasten all the way down the center is what puzzles me. It has some small nails showing in the center rib (rusted off) where the floor was fastened before but it may have been to hold it in place while applying the fiberglass over it, the nails are small and not too close together.

Thanks

John

 

[Alaskaskiff]

Deezul 1,



It sounds like the center rib (longitudinal if running from bow to stern) is just to give the deck strength as a floater. In that case it would only have to be lightly fastened to the decking (use stainless and stay away from nails, screws are ideal). Does it look like it was ever fastened (glassed) to the hull and part of an interior framing system?



Feel free to pm if you have specific questions

 

[bighammer]

If you get a hole in the floor, and have water coming in, make a bigger hole to let it drain back out

 

[willyslover]

sell it and buy the gas/diesel for your friends boatOo.

 

[Deezul1]

Have to sell it for $3. 00 it looks like poop with no floor or seats in it, otherwise good idea

 

[JR2]

When I was younger my Dad bought me a fiberglass boat that he got a "good deal" on. It had the same problem you have. I took everyting out of the boat and cut the entire inside floor out. Then I took it to a very reputable fiberglass shop and they layed some sheet foam in the bottom and glassed over it. It was tought as heck and very firm. My boat was flat bottomed and built with what I call the sandwitch method. They sandwitched balsa wood with a glass on both sides. One side being the bottom of the boat and the other being the deck. It was a scary ride when I realized the entire bottom of the boat was flexing up and down three or four inches.



I would reccomend going to a local fiberglass or boat building shop and have a talk with them. Afterall you have to buy the materials from someone and they are usually real nice and will help. Good luck, I only by metal boats now.



JR2