[dogsdad]

We bought a 1990 Sea Ray 180 Bow Rider about three years ago. When we first looked at it, I wanted to pass on it because it had a rotten deck. But we got a healthy break on the price, so we bought it and used the difference to have the deck replaced.Last spring the captain's chair came unscrewed from the deck. I screwed it down again with new screw holes, and it was okay for a couple of weeks, then it came loose again. I parked the boat.We've kept this boat covered and it has not gotten wet, other than folks climbing back in from swimming occasionally.Last night I tore into it, and the deck is totally rotten right around the captain's chair. The rest of it seems solid at this point.What I want to know is this: can a deck kit be had? Where would I get good instructions for doing this job myself? I've pulled up a good deal of the carpeting, and I can't see where the edges of the hull meet the deck. I don't wanna butcher the thing up! I saw this boat when it was gutted, but I don't recall the details of its construction.I am also wondering if there is something about the design of the hull of this boat that will cause this to happen again and again. It's been a great boat, performance-wise, gbut if I have to do this every three years to keep it, I think I'll pass and move on to something else.-dd-

[EZLoader]

Hey dog, this is a common topic discussion in the "Boat Building and Restoration" topic forum. Try to copy and paste it there as well. Also do a "keyword" search in that forum for decks, rot, soft spots, etc.. That is where you will find all the free advice and skill for this problem. Many have posted the whole process plus photos showing each step.The moisture most likely got in around your captain's chair screw holes allowing the rot to begin and spread from that point. Anytime you drill and screw into a deck without further waterproofing and sealing around the screws moisture may find a way in. Once your plywood deck is wet the rot begins. Rot loves moisture, celluose, warmth and darkness. I've never heard of a "deck kit" anywhere for any boat. Every boat has this problem due to moisture getting in and being trapped below the deck and rotting out the untreated plywood. You'll find this all out when you go to the forum I noted above. Good luck!

[dogsdad]

Thanks EZ. I may well take the time to fix it for keeps. I don't think I've ever even taken a peek at the building/restoration forum. Now's the time!

[dogsdad]

Update...work is done! The rot was not as extensive as I feared...it turns out this portion of the deck was not replaced three years ago like I thought. Here's the only surviving pic of what I had to do.

[bayman]

Good news and thanks for the update! Might want to look around for some 3M 5200 to use on the captains chair screws/bolts as EZLoader mentioned.