Cracked floor in rear compartment

[Laduckhunter]

Hello folks,

I have a 1992 Skeeter Bass boat, I went to plug it in this morning and when I do I always lift the door on the rear compartment to make sure the charging light is correct. When I opened it, there was a crack in the floor where my second trolling motor is located. I have one last fishing weekend left so I was planning to just put a 2x6 over it and screw the batteries down to it. Long term, what is my best way to fix this? Would it just be possible to replace this with something other than fiberglass? Maybe a piece of sheet metal instead?

 

[jbcurt00]

Sorry but I cant see a cracked floor in your pix.

 

[ondarvr]

I think I see a chip, or chunk of glass missing, I'm not sure if that's what you're talking about though.

 

[gm280]

If that wide area by the 2 x ? is the crack, that needs attention now. Don't push another outing or you may be having it lifted from the deep. Something IS wrong and you really need to fix it first. JMHO

 

[Laduckhunter]

I think I see a chip, or chunk of glass missing, I'm not sure if that's what you're talking about though.

That is it, it is snapped right by the wooden block ( where my charger is ) and right where my right battery sits. It is a very thin piece of fiberglass that is the floor for the batteries. It broke right where this nothing solid, where the hoses and the plumbing for the livewells. I did not assume it would be something structural, meaning it would sacrafice the integrity of the structutre.

 

[DeepBlue2010]

This is what are you talking about, right? From your picture and without further digging, I am not sure if anyone can tell you if will compromise your safety on the water in your coming fishing trip. If you want to stay on the safe side, don't go out and start you inspection to see the extent of the damage.

 

[Laduckhunter]

This is what are you talking about, right? From your picture and without further digging, I am not sure if anyone can tell you if will compromise your safety on the water in your coming fishing trip. If you want to stay on the safe side, don't go out and start you inspection to see the extent of the damage.

Yes. this is correct. that is the issue. What should I look for when taking things apart?

 

[jbcurt00]

There sbould have been plywood (1/2in minimum) beneath the fiberglass thats torn in the red circled area.

Soft but not yet wood mulch wood, when covered by fiberglass can appear sound, but lut a heavy TM battery on it and cross a few waves or wakes and the added bouncing can yield damage similar to this.

I'd suggest you get everything you can reasonably get out of the boat, out and do a thorough and detailed inspection of every hatch, opening and bilge area you can.

That may mean sticking a camera into a hole and shooting pix of whats below deck where you can reach but not see into.

How long have you had this boat?

It could be much worse then a small defect that needs repair or it might be an isolated problem caused by less the diligent work at the factory when it was made. Look thru some topics in this forum, a large number start as small areas of concern that quickly become much more involved as inspections and demo for repair is started.

Good luck

 

[Laduckhunter]

There sbould have been plywood (1/2in minimum) beneath the fiberglass thats torn in the red circled area.

Soft but not yet wood mulch wood, when covered by fiberglass can appear sound, but lut a heavy TM battery on it and cross a few waves or wakes and the added bouncing can yield damage similar to this.

I'd suggest you get everything you can reasonably get out of the boat, out and do a thorough and detailed inspection of every hatch, opening and bilge area you can.

That may mean sticking a camera into a hole and shooting pix of whats below deck where you can reach but not see into.

How long have you had this boat?

It could be much worse then a small defect that needs repair or it might be an isolated problem caused by less the diligent work at the factory when it was made. Look thru some topics in this forum, a large number start as small areas of concern that quickly become much more involved as inspections and demo for repair is started.

Good luck

Thank you for the information. I have had this boat since August. It is also my first boat with an outboard. For all that commented, I am sorry for the crappy picture, its not easy to see really and I would have never noticed if my battery was not leaning into the hole

 

[Scott Danforth]

your boat is now 24 years old , I am willing to bet that you have a fair bit of structural issues below the deck based on that picture.

as indicated above, I would do some serious inspection of the floor, stringers, and transom.

 

[Laduckhunter]

No Title

Thanks for the feedback. It does look worse than I thought once I started pulling things out. The front floors have been rebuilt, and they are very solid. However, I am going to give a through look at everything. I plan to pull the tank out after work and check the whole area. Here is a better picture:

​

 

[Scott Danforth]

looks like a start to another full-gut restoration. remember, the last thing to rot, is the floor. boats rot from the keel up. first to go is the stringers, followed by the transom, then the floor.

 

[jbcurt00]

Not to throw another wet blanket on the boat, but make absolutely sure the deck you said was rebuilt and solid isnt a deck thats been layed over another.

Happens frequently

 

[gm280]

Laduckhunter, I sure don't want to come off as a nay sayer. But I would much rather see you abandon your last fishing trip then to have anything serious happen to you or anybody else. With the second picture posted, I too think you have a lot more issues then a little broken battery floor problem. However the good news is, you caught it now and come to the absolute best place on the net for quality sincere advice and suggestions to repair your boat to better then new condition. I'd like to see the entire boat with more pictures as well. Take a few shots of the outside hull and even a few inside shots so we all can see what you're working with. And then start asking questions. We are here to help! :thumb:

 

[Laduckhunter]

Ok, so I have cancelled the last fishing trip for the year and we are going to work on the boat instead. I should have the tanked pulled shortly after work today. Should I go ahead and cut out the piece that is broken so I can view underneath the boat better? If this was your boat, what would be your next step?

 

[DeepBlue2010]

Core samples. Take core samples from the transom, stringers and bulkheads. Core samples can be taken with a 1/4 inch drll bit. Inspect the shavings. Dry and gold color wood is good. Dark brown, wet, black mulch are bad news. Try to stay as close to the lower part of the transom as you can. Set the depth of the bit so you dont drill through

 

[Laduckhunter]

Thanks for everyones help. I will be taking a lot of pictures and core samples this weekend.

 

[Laduckhunter]

How can I check the front portions of the boat without ripping the whole thing apart?

 

[gm280]

You can always make little holes in the floor to sample things. But odds are you will be doing the stringers, transom and floor before it is all say and done. So many boats start out this way and end up being total refurbish projects. But once you finish this project, your boat will be better then new and easily last decades as well. JMHO!

 

[Laduckhunter]

No Title

Ok, finally get the tank and everything out, broke off the floor that fell through and this is what I am looking at. I hope to have the samples done tonight.