82 wellcraft 18 ft bowrider ~~ Flooring~~ PICS!!!

[Cravinwaves]

I just bought this wellcraft and the flooring is soft and missing in some spots. You can see some pics here... http://photobucket.com/Cravinwaves I want to know if it will work to just cover the areas for a while, what are the down falls of this? I am not very handly when it comes to fiberglass work, its looks as if I cut around the edges of the floor, I will have to fiberglass to meet the outside of the shell. Maybe just patch the flooring?? Any suggestions? I know that the best option is to replace the entire floor but I dont feel confident enough to do so... Actually I am kinda stressed, I just paid 1400 for the boat... feels as if I was takin for my money on this one!

The stringers on the boat seem to be good, I am really not sure of what to check on them, but pounded on them and they seem hard as a rock. They sound solid... If I cut along the sides of the flooring where the wood meets the outer shell, will that cause the shell to shift or anything?? I have it on the trailer like in the pic?? Sorry this is so long and so many question, this is my first boat! I really appreciate all the advice everyones giving me on this!

 

[salty87]

Re: 82 wellcraft 18 ft bowrider ~~ Flooring~~ PICS!!!

the problem with a rotten floor is that is usually starts down low and once you see it, it's been rotting for a while so the damage is more extensive than just the upper plywood.

you really want to know what condition your boat is in. covering it up could be dangerous. i'd want to know if i was going out on someone's boat and it was piece-mealed together.

and, patching the floor could actually be harder. you'd probably spend nearly as much time and all of your work could be a waste if it's on top of rotten stringers.

what's the difference, skill-wise, between patching fiberglass and replacing it? not much, you still have to fiberglass.

 

[rcmickey]

Re: 82 wellcraft 18 ft bowrider ~~ Flooring~~ PICS!!!

You are right replacing the whole thing is the best action, but if your not ready to replace the floor then cover it with marine ply wood. Go down to your local hardware store and buy a sheet may be two of marine ply wood. Take news paper or break down a carboard box and lay it down on the existing floor. Tape it together with masking tape untill you have a template of the floor. Now take your template and lay it on top of your ply wood and mark your wood. Cut your wood and epoxy and screw it down to the existing floor. Get a nice indoor outdoor carpet glue it down and go out and enjoy your $1400 boat. Oh and don't let anyone ever tell you you got took. The way I see it you bought a nice boat for just a little money enjoy!!!!

 

[PaulyV]

Re: 82 wellcraft 18 ft bowrider ~~ Flooring~~ PICS!!!

How did you miss that floor being in that shape? Seems you would have fallen into the hole if you inspected it. Anyway..I would not just cover it with Marine Plywood. You need to find out whats doing below that floor. Thats your responsibility when your the Captain, that your crew is safe while enjoying fun in the sun. There is LOADS of information to get you through the process of stringer restoration/ deck replacement on this forum. You will need a few shecks$$ to do it though.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 82 wellcraft 18 ft bowrider ~~ Flooring~~ PICS!!!

Nice boat. You did not get taken. Look at the deck now and that will give you a good idea of the shape of the pieces you will need.

I would do 90+% of that floor.

The primary concen is what is under the floor. If the foam is soaked and water logged it has to come out. If the sringers are rotted they need to be repaired too.

Get to the fuel tank and that will open things up a bit.

Take a deep breath....... it really will be better when you are done.

 

[JaSla74]

Re: 82 wellcraft 18 ft bowrider ~~ Flooring~~ PICS!!!

Dude, you're fine. That's a nice looking rig. You're not in too deep yet. Do some research & replace what needs to be done. You'll be okay even, if you pay someone else to do the work.

It floats right? Stressing over it ain't worth it.

 

[Mark42]

Re: 82 wellcraft 18 ft bowrider ~~ Flooring~~ PICS!!!

I agree with Bob, most if not all of the floor should come out. Covering it with another layer of plywood will just accelerate the rot process, plus you will probably find the stringers are too soft to hold a screw.

That deck is most likely not marine plywood. Most boat manufacturers do not use marine ply, and there are no regulations specifying the use of marine ply in boats. Regular ply, CDX with its water proof glue, or (my preference) a good grade of pressure treated ply will do the job as good or better than new. 1/2" is common, but 5/8" is better.


Welllcraft is a great boat, it will be worth your time and money to do it right. But don't throw away money on expensive marine grade ply when it probably wasn't used to begin with. And standard marine ply does not have preservatives, just water proof glue and better grade ply's than regular ply. Pressure treated marine ply will cost even more than regular marine ply. Save the $$$ for the polyester and glass.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: 82 wellcraft 18 ft bowrider ~~ Flooring~~ PICS!!!

Looks to me like someone all ready topped the deck with plywood. I'd cut a few 2x2' holes in the deck (circular saw blade set just low enough to cut through the deck and not through the stringers) and once that's done, you can see how bad the stringers and foam are,,, search the resto forum for "core sample".

If you plan to slap down another layer of plywood the boat is going to be a lot heavier, 150+# for your plywood, 150+# for the old owners plywood, plus 7# x how many gallons of water in the foam. Would be like hauling around a couple extra people all the time...

Have you run the boat yet and tested everything, outboard, trim, electrical? I'd make sure everything works before tearing into a deck/stringer job... would be a real bummer if you got the deck replaced and found the outboard was shot.

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: 82 wellcraft 18 ft bowrider ~~ Flooring~~ PICS!!!

$1400? ehh..

well you already own it, time to work with what you've got! While the stringers may seem solid by just tapping on them, stringers are wood encapsulated with fiberglass. The fiberglass will be fine but the wood inside of it might not be. I would definitely drill into them and see what the shavings are like. If they're dry, you're in good shape. If they're wet, like from moist all the way to mulch, um, welcome to hell

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: 82 wellcraft 18 ft bowrider ~~ Flooring~~ PICS!!!

and as mentioned, wet stringers and foam can add hundreds of pounds

 

[thatguy]

Re: 82 wellcraft 18 ft bowrider ~~ Flooring~~ PICS!!!

nice loking little boat you got there. Good luc with the resto-

as a new guy here I would listen to the members that have done this type of stuff before. Pull the floor and check for wet foam and check the stringers. there is nothing worse than doing re work! pull the floor and do it right the first time. fiberglass work can be scary at first, I am by no means a pro, but its really not that bad. read up on it and take your time. you will be happier in the long run, not to mention your boat will be a better boat!

TOm