1996 Stingray 556zp - Partial Floor Rot

[NewBoatGuyNH]

I have a 1996 Stingray 556zp that I've had for two seasons. This is my first boat. I got a good deal on it and it seemed to be well maintained. We've really enjoyed it so far. The last time I put it in the water it sounded like someone turned a faucet on in the engine compartment. I took it to the local repair shop and they found a large hole in the gimbal housing. It must have started out small and been leaking for a long time and then just let go. During the time it was leaking it rotted out the transom. I had a new transom and gimbal housing installed and I thought I was good to go. Today I was replacing the piece of carpet covered plywood that the Captain's seat is mounted to because the seat pulled out. I thought it was just this piece of plywood that was rotted. Upon further investigation I find a lot of the floor around where the plywood was mounted is rotted/soft (see first picture). The rotted section is about 18" wide and 36" long. The 4x4 beam that runs side to side at the center of the boat (third picture) appears solid where I can see it. I've read a number of the threads on the forum regarding rot. I'm hoping this is something I can do myself. Here are my questions:
1. Is it practical to think I can just cut out the rotted area and do a repair or do I have to replace the whole floor? Everything else seems very sturdy.
2. What will I find under the wood? Is there something underneath I'll have to replace?
3. Should I anticipate a rotted stringer as well?
4. See second picture - this tube has a 2" section missing. Does this need to be replaced?
Thanks in advance!

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

I have a 1996 Stingray 556zp that I've had for two seasons. This is my first boat. I got a good deal on it and it seemed to be well maintained. We've really enjoyed it so far. The last time I put it in the water it sounded like someone turned a faucet on in the engine compartment. I took it to the local repair shop and they found a large hole in the gimbal housing. It must have started out small and been leaking for a long time and then just let go. During the time it was leaking it rotted out the transom. I had a new transom and gimbal housing installed and I thought I was good to go. Today I was replacing the piece of carpet covered plywood that the Captain's seat is mounted to because the seat pulled out. I thought it was just this piece of plywood that was rotted. Upon further investigation I find a lot of the floor around where the plywood was mounted is rotted/soft (see first picture). The rotted section is about 18" wide and 36" long. The 4x4 beam that runs side to side at the center of the boat (third picture) appears solid where I can see it. I've read a number of the threads on the forum regarding rot. I'm hoping this is something I can do myself. Here are my questions:
1. Is it practical to think I can just cut out the rotted area and do a repair or do I have to replace the whole floor? Everything else seems very sturdy.
2. What will I find under the wood? Is there something underneath I'll have to replace?
3. Should I anticipate a rotted stringer as well?
4. See second picture - this tube has a 2" section missing. Does this need to be replaced?
Thanks in advance!

Hi,
From my personal experience and From reading other threads and their responses the floor is the last thing to rot. You had the transom repaired which is great but there is a high likelihood that your stringers have rot in them and most protective motor mounts also. The previous owner of my boat did a floor replacement and when I dug into it there wasn't anything that you could say was good. If you like the boat and it meets your needs plus you have the capabilities Repairing can be done buts its alot of work. There is alot of knowledge here both personally and files so it isn't impossible but some more investigating should be done in your situation before making any decisions.

 

[jbcurt00]

Prepare for a full gut & rehab,

 

[Drivewayboater2]

No such thing as partial floor rot. Surprised they didn’t go further when they did a transom replacement. Agree with jbcurt… looks like a gut and rehab. Sorry

 

[briangcc]

You know that brace in the ski locker isn't supposed to be there right? Cause its in the way when you'd put your waterskis, wakeboards, whatnot in there. So that's another bandaid fix.

I'd start looking at the boat very carefully as I'd wager you're about to find out there's more rot than you're aware of.