Boat sat outside 4 rainy months-rot likely?

[Rhadley]

I am considering a 1984 4winns boat that was sitting outside for the last 4 rainy months. It is hard to see underneath the deck, but is it likely there is rot down there? It was garage kept before that.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Boat sat outside 4 rainy months-rot likely?

I wouldn't worry about 4 months.....<br />4 Years would no doubt get things Started....

 

[Rhadley]

Re: Boat sat outside 4 rainy months-rot likely?

OK-Thanks for the input

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Boat sat outside 4 rainy months-rot likely?

The answer I'd ask "is there water trapped under the floor". It would take more than four months to rot but if it is wet below deck then it may well start the process. I've never had water standing in my boat, have never left it uncovered in the rain but my floor is rotten underneath the original unbroken mat. The most water exposure mine has had, inside the boat, has been from people climbing in the boat wet or from hosing it out, bow high, on the trailer.

 

[Rhadley]

Re: Boat sat outside 4 rainy months-rot likely?

You are exactly right. I bought the boat and over the past few weeks, I find new soft spots where I didn't find them before. It's been spreading right before my eyes, even though it has now been out of any water/rain! I guess I'll be doing some stringer work sometime.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Boat sat outside 4 rainy months-rot likely?

You know it is not so much the 4 rainy months but the preceeding 19 years, and who knows how well they protected the plywood decking when it was built. Sounds like you are going to be at least replacing the floor, do a search in project boats, there is a ton of info in there.