first boat....rotted deck....I need help!!

[1970newport30]

Just bought my first boat, and couldn't be happier. Turns out, there is a huge part of the deck where the core is rotted. I have done some research and learned how to remove the inner skin, replace the core and re-apply the skin properly, but most books I read only mentioned smaller repair areas (few square feet). My boat has a HUGE area of the deck that would need replacing, and I am simply wondering if anyone knows of a better way to repair large parts of a rotted deck.

Here are a couple pictures, the area inside the red lines is totally rotted. Its a 30 foot boat with a 10.5 foot beam.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d83/jesusjim86/goodpic2.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d83/jesusjim86/goodpic.jpg

Thanks to everyone for your input.
~Jesse

 

[salty87]

Re: first boat....rotted deck....I need help!!

wow, i wish i had some advice but working overhead like that isn't going to be easy. i'm imagining some very sore shoulders.

thanks, makes my deck replacement look a little easier.

good luck

 

[Marcq]

Re: first boat....rotted deck....I need help!!

wow, i wish i had some advice but working overhead like that isn't going to be easy. i'm imagining some very sore shoulders.

thanks, makes my deck replacement look a little easier.

good luck

Do you have pictures from the outside ? it would help

Marc..

 

[DJ]

Re: first boat....rotted deck....I need help!!

Working "up" is a lot harder than working down, with gravity.

However, aesthetically, I would make the repairs from below.

Be careful cutting out the affected area as to not cut through the upper deck.

You have a lot of options for a headliner replacement, on the inside. I suspect the upper deck is non skid. That is very difficult to duplicate.

 

[oops!]

Re: first boat....rotted deck....I need help!!

welcome....!!!!!


uh....lotta work.....

the only thing i can think of is a grinder......there is a mast on top of that isnt there????

if you do grind....its messy....beond messy....its toatlly disaster type messy...

cover everything you cant remove.

my body feels sore for ya allready.

lookin foward to updates

cheers
oops

 

[erikgreen]

Re: first boat....rotted deck....I need help!!

Looks like you already know the way to do it.

Personally, I'd mark the area to be removed, then cut the fiberglass skin with a grinder and a metal cutting disk. Then assess... likely if it's really rotted half of the problem core is going to drop out with the glass, and you'll be able to see what your next step is.

A trick I've used for working overhead is to keep the distance to the work as short as you can... don't just stand on the floor with your arms over your head, instead rig a scaffold or box to get your body up high enough so you have to risk bumping your head against the upper deck. You'd think you want clearance to work, but you'll find out you want to lower your arms even more.

Post a pic of the outside of the boat if you can... if it's at all possible to work from the top without damaging the outer skin (like for some reason there's a removable cap section there or something) then it'll be much, much easier. Odds are good you'll want to work from the inside for cosmetic reasons though.

Erik

PS: Welcome to iboats... looks like a nice big boat there, post some more pics so we can admire her