Floor Access Panel

[Porshaah]

Gentlemen

I'd like your opinion. I'm in the process of replacing all the wood (i.e. transom, floor, etc.) in my 16' Glastron ski boat. Along the center keel there is about 8" depth (i.e. perfect for ski storage) of unused space running most of the length of the boat which I'd like to utilize for storage. The original floor was fiber glassed in along the edges and was fairly water tight I believe, as I never removed the recently discovered plugs which would have allowed this cavity to drain. I found a few pieces of loosely fitted rigid foam in there as well, so I believe this cavity was intended to keep the boat afloat in the event of a capsize. It probably adds some structural integrity to the hull. My question is, can I put a hinged or screwed in access panel in the floor without affecting the structural or floatation integrity of the boat? If so what is the best method to seal this access panel in order to maintain the water seal to this area. I also intend to replace the indoor/outdoor carpet to the surface of the floor.

All responses welcomed
Bill

 

[109jb]

Re: Floor Access Panel

Pictures would help, but I will tell you how the structure in my 16 foot Sea Ray is layed out. This boat has no center stringer, but has a "floor" glassed in the bottom of the hull that is about 20" wide from the front of the bilge area to where the bow starts to curve up. This forms the floor of the ski locker and the floor of the fuel tank area. Then there are 2 stringer each about 1 foot from the boat centerline that run full length and tie into the transom. The area between the stringers serves 2 purposes. In the 4 feet at the back of the boat the area has the fuel tank. Then ahead of the tank forward is the ski locker. The flotation foam in this boat is outboard of the stringers under the deck, and under the gunwales. When I replaced my deck, I used 1/2" plywood for most, and doubled it up in the ski locker area and over the tank. I also doubled it up under the seat bases for screw retention. My deck feel very sturdy now that it is done. I would post pictures of the stringers for you but I had a camera card malfunction and lost the pictures from that stage of my rebuild. I hope this helps a bit.

 

[Porshaah]

Re: Floor Access Panel

109jb

Thanks for the reply. Only have a phone camra - not sure if it would show much detail but I'll try. The hull has a single 2X8" (i.e. 8" depth I mentioned above) stringer up the center, the floor is also about 20" wide and runs from the transom and a few feet short of the bow, due to the taper. The floor edges meet the 2nd chine on either side so I was planning on fiberglassing in a 2nd stringer either side of center over the first chine to creat a cavity for the floatation foam. My concern is that the original floor was completely fiber glassed in creating rgidity for the hull as well as a fairly air tight cavity. If I put in an access panel I will reduce this ridgidity and the hull will be able to flex more, from side to side. Another concern is the top of the center stringer is mostly exposed - should I fully encapsulate it with fiber glass or leave it as is, to allow for moisture to escape if it does get wet?

Thanks again
Bill