Am I nuts to try this?

[93chevy]

I recently had a 16 foot sea sprite given to me and after tearing out the floor and soaked foam discovered I had solid stingers. I plan to try someting different on this boat using inflatable fenders between the stringers for flotation and covering the deck with composite lumber. I know the foam provides some structural support, so plan to do some fiberglassing to return the strength. I know the fiberglass won't stick to the composite lumber. Some aluminum tubing may be used to provide strength. Have any of you attempted this kind of thing and am I wasting my time thinking about it? I appriciat any thoughts on this idea

 

[l Saltydog l]

Re: Am I nuts to try this?

Buy marine plywood. Its worth it. Do you mean covering the deck with aluminum>? Have you checked the transom? If your deck is screwed chances are your transom is too.

 

[produceguy]

Re: Am I nuts to try this?

I would think it would be cheaper to use foam from HD or lowes.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Am I nuts to try this?

If you're using the composite decking because you don't want to have to redeck in the future you should check this product out.

http://www.pontoonstuff.com/pontoon-boat/144-marine-plywood.asp

Lifetime warranty and probably cheaper than the composite decking.

 

[JSmitty]

Re: Am I nuts to try this?

using inflatable fenders between the stringers for flotation

If you're doing this to save money, floatation foam is not expensive. I did my 24-footer for $60-something with foam left over.

 

[bill11]

Re: Am I nuts to try this?

you can also take a look at coosa board ( google it) light weight strong stuff. That[s what i plan for my boat so far

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Am I nuts to try this?

... and am I wasting my time thinking about it? I appriciat any thoughts on this idea

Welcome to Iboats ..

You are basically wasting your time thinking about putting in rubber bumpers/fenders for floatation. ..

Beef up your glass..make sure there is glass under and over all things related to your rebuild.

Pour foam is the quickest/cheapest way to go IMHO.

Do it factory but better now that YOUR in control of the build..

Yes yes .. pool noodles and empty pop bottles .. Tell that to a prospective buyer in the future " um yea .. I used Marine grade ply on the trans and deck/stringers .. then I filled it up with pool noodles " ..

YD.

 

[oops!]

Re: Am I nuts to try this?

also......as well as the fenders.bumpers being nothing more than floatation......the alum ribbing will do nothing. just glass her good....and foam as you like...either protected or not protected foam,,,or.....no foam

 

[93chevy]

Re: Am I nuts to try this?

Pool noodles, great idea, hadn't thought of that. I think you all are right so I better go with factory if I rebuild this trihull. A friend said I should cut the bottom of the boat out and put it over a volkswagon floor pan. That sounds like a very interesting winter project. Thanks for all the replies