Additional bilge compartment?

[EddieF17]

Hi guys, I am fairly new to boating and have inherited a 1995 rinker 280 fiesta vee. It needs work as it has been sitting for 4 years. While entering the cabin area, the carpet and wood under the carpet felt kind of soft. I decided to pull the carpet up as it was already coming unglued and noticed this. Is this normal? I already have a secondary bilge under the steps and this hole under the carpet doesn’t look original.

Can anybody help me with this?

Thank you in advance!
Eddie

 

[airshot]

Appears you have some rot going on, be prepared for some serious work!!

 

[EddieF17]

Appears you have some rot going on, be prepared for some serious work!!

This doesn’t sounds great :/ what would you recommend? Have you ever felt with something like this before?

 

[airshot]

If your not real handy with fiberglass work seek professional help!! Inside the glass there is a wood substructure, water gets into the wood and causes it to rot. Look especially close at the transom, weakness there could be catastrophic....

 

[H20Rat]

Time to jump over to the restoration forum, but... That looks like a massive amount of work ahead of you to get that seaworthy. Boats rot from the bottom up, so by the time the floor is soft, so are your stringers and transom.

 

[JimS123]

Even if you do all the work yourself, the cost will be in the thousands, and likely more than the boat is worth. Consider that before you proceed.