bass boat floor

[splitshot]

well i put the boat (1985 hydra sport bass boat) in the water today after sealing the new thru hulls and new drain plug and no more leaks !!!


so now onto the next fix i had a soft spot in my floor between the seats there is a floor drain here similar to a shower drain, well the grill is anyways....the area is probably 7"x7" and whouldnt you just know it was right on top of the stringer (dead center of the boat) and the foam ....it was about a 4" drain.....there is a section of the stringer that is starting to rot it is the dark spot in the picture just left of the screw.....how can i fix this please dont say take the top off and redo the whole stringer

the weird thing is i poked a hole in the foam and no water nothing but dust came out but how did the plywood on the floor become rotted ?? it was sitting on the stringer so i guess it stayed wet ?? and why wasnt the foam saturated ??







the front of the boat has a drain also this one is beside the stringer which is glassed in i can see through the hole...should the new floor have drains like these maybe just in different places ???

 

[JB]

Re: bass boat floor

Boats don't have floors. They have decks. Put a floor in a boat and it will rot.

 

[splitshot]

Re: bass boat floor

thanks for the help

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: bass boat floor

Hay splitshot , the foam is closed cell , meaning it not sposed to take water, like 98 percent is sposed to be closed cell, man that looked like mine . except mine is a 77 prepare to get ichey!!!!! lol john

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: bass boat floor

so now onto the next fix i had a soft spot in my floor between the seats there is a floor drain here similar to a shower drain, well the grill is anyways....the area is probably 7"x7" and whouldnt you just know it was right on top of the stringer (dead center of the boat) and the foam ....it was about a 4" drain.....there is a section of the stringer that is starting to rot it is the dark spot in the picture just left of the screw.....how can i fix this please dont say take the top off and redo the whole stringer

Ok, I won't say it then...

...

I'm THINKING it though!


Seriously... that's what you'll have to do if you want to do it right, and I'm sure you do. What I'm curious about, is why that stringer wasn't glassed in from the get-go. When you do replace it, make sure you completely glass in the new stringer so it's sealed off from the elements.

If you don't want to do it right, you MIGHT be able to get away with cutting out just that section, and replacing it with a PERFECTLY cut to match piece and securing it with something that wouldn't allow it to move one bit at all, like a metal jacket or something... but ... I R-E-A-L-L-Y wouldn't advise doing it that way. It's risky and dangerous.

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: bass boat floor

MAn i just reread your post and I hate to say it , but as bad as that looks your not going to get a good patch ,its needs to be redone !!!! told you didnt want to hear it !!! John

 

[ddennis]

Re: bass boat floor

Hydra's are good boats. Rip it out and do it right. That hull will last a lifetime if treated right!

 

[splitshot]

Re: bass boat floor

so how is the water from the main deck supposed to drain because the foam is under it ??

 

[Willyclay]

Re: bass boat floor

The "Catch 22" of boating: Can you keep water out of the bilge or do you plan for water to somehow get in there and provide a way for it to drain? Neither is right or wrong. Do what you feel good about and will be safe! Good luck.

 

[splitshot]

Re: bass boat floor

well i'm just gonna patch it for now i am going to be moving in about a month and i dont have time to take the cap off and pack my stuff for the move after i get situated at the new place i will remove the top and redo the stringers and whatever else needs to be done

 

[Robj]

Re: bass boat floor

well i'm just gonna patch it for now i am going to be moving in about a month and i dont have time to take the cap off and pack my stuff for the move after i get situated at the new place i will remove the top and redo the stringers and whatever else needs to be done

There is no patch. The stringers are wood is rotten and need to be replaced. Do it right or don't bother and just keep on the trailer.

Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: bass boat floor

I agree dont try to patch it , it will fail , John

 

[splitshot]

Re: bass boat floor

by patch i mean cover it up with plywood so it wouldnt fill with leaves or water until i can fix

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: bass boat floor

by patch i mean cover it up with plywood so it wouldnt fill with leaves or water until i can fix

You could get a boat cover for less than the plywood would cost though... and that would protect the whole thing a lot better, plus you could use it after you finish this restoration.

 

[Robj]

Re: bass boat floor

by patch i mean cover it up with plywood so it wouldnt fill with leaves or water until i can fix

Hopefully that means it will remain on the trailer. The harm has already been done, just throw a tarp over it until you have time to fix it properly.

Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[splitshot]

Re: bass boat floor

the tarp idea is good...i am wanting to buy a book for fiberglassing boats can you recommend any ?? especially some that deal with bass boats or something similar i am worried about taking the top off and sealing it back correctly

 

[Lou C]

Re: bass boat floor

Runabout Renovation is a good one
Also, the Rot Doc website has some good tips on rebuilding
And finally, West Systems epoxy has some good pamphlets that describe how to do many repairs.