Just for the sake of asking.......(no executions allowed)

[emoney]

So, let's assume, just for conversation purposes, we all knew a guy that for
the most part, was a sailor. However, said sailor actually went out and
obtained a power boat in order to appease his lovely bride & almost grown
children. Sailorboy, being frugal as he is (and quite handsome for the sake of
the story), decides to buy an older boat in order to verify the family's true
desire to own an additionaly money pit...ahem, power boat. Now, let's say
aforementioned powerboat had a couple of 'soft spots' in the main travel
portion of the floor. Now, let me also add this little twist, particular boat
in question is NOT the 'boat of their dreams', as far as the family goes.
Other than that, the relatively inexpensive boat has few issues as the sailor
has gone through the powerplant with a fine toothed comb and replaced/repaired
anything that was needed.

Having said all that as a 'back story', would you, as collective sages of boat
restoration speciality, think that a 'quick fix' would be acceptable and if so,
how? In short, how awful would it be to put down a 2nd layer of plywood,
to solidify the floor?

Now, before you get started, the sailor, we'll assume, is very aware that the
proper thing to do would be to pull out all the old floor/subfloor/stringers, etc.
and do the job right. However, for argument's sake, let's also assume he
doesn't want to expel the time/energy/resources into a boat he's not going
to keep either way.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Just for the sake of asking.......(no executions allowed)

Do it. Just don't tell us about it and don't go wave jumping with the thing.

 

[dbkerley]

Re: Just for the sake of asking.......(no executions allowed)

Tell Sailorboy that a boat is a boat wherever it gets it's power from and to fix it the same as though it had sails on it or sell it as is and get another next year.

 

[emoney]

Re: Just for the sake of asking.......(no executions allowed)

So you're saying that my "friend" should what? Put down plywood and then
glass it in or how far should "he" go? Glue it and paint it?

 

[emoney]

Re: Just for the sake of asking.......(no executions allowed)

Tell Sailorboy that a boat is a boat wherever it gets it's power from and to fix it the same as though it had sails on it or sell it as is and get another next year.

But what if "he" wants to use it this season (he's in Florida) to make sure
they family really will get use out of it, before he sells it and buys another?
How big of an issue is a soft spot? I don't want my daughter, I mean he wouldn't
want his daughter out on the boat and something bad to happen?

 

[dbkerley]

Re: Just for the sake of asking.......(no executions allowed)

What I was saying was the "quick fixes" never are. If you screw something over it to get through the season is one thing. If you leave it that way is another.

 

[jspano]

Re: Just for the sake of asking.......(no executions allowed)

assuming this is a fiberglass boat. try drilling some small holes in the transom and try to get to the stringers and do the same and see how far the damage as traveled.
the last thing you want is to be out on the gulf with the view of the 2 big white elephants... i mean condos and find your boat folding in half.

 

[109jb]

Re: Just for the sake of asking.......(no executions allowed)

I would check the transom for rot as this usually goes about on the same time schedule as the floor. The transom is more important in my view to the safety of the boat and occupants than the floor. If the transom proves solid, then go ahead and add a second layer for the floor and go boating. That is what I did with my Sea Ray. Now if the transom is not solid enough you really only have 2 choices. 1-fix it right, 2-sell it. My problem with selling it is that I would never be able to because I would have to tell everyone that the transom needed to be fixed and therby kill the sale.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Just for the sake of asking.......(no executions allowed)

What 109jb said!!!

Safety IS #1. Transom is the MOST important thing.

If it is good then do what you want.

I'm just sayin...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Just for the sake of asking.......(no executions allowed)

"he" definitely shouldn't go glassin' it and stuff because he might delude himself into thinking he actually fixed it

 

[mikesdad]

Re: Just for the sake of asking.......(no executions allowed)

Excellent post emoney.
Entertaining as well as informative.
I wish I had a sailor buddy that I could ask questions through!!!

Hey, after you get all the advice of the sages', then you could add, "Yep! That's what I tried to tell him!!!"

I, no wait, I mean a buddy of mine, has this boat that where the sheets of plywood come together ...........it's heaved up.......like someone forget to put clips between the sheets.
It's almost a tripping hazard.

Gonna tell him what ideas I read here!

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: Just for the sake of asking.......(no executions allowed)

Actually, I would question the sailor part. I would think that a real sailor or close to a real sailor would know that boats have decks not floor's.
Like EZ stated do what you want, just don't tell us about it. No advice is better then bad advise.
Bob

 

[emoney]

Re: Just for the sake of asking.......(no executions allowed)

jpsano, those "White Elephants" keep the sailboat pointed in the right direction
most of the time. That's where we sail. We come out marker #1, Sea Pines.

Transom is solid (at least seems solid). Actually remounted an outboard and
got dry wood there. So it sounds like; lay it down, seal it up, paint it and
move on, right? Then, sell it in the spring and find a center console and be
done with it!

And, just for the record, we call it a "sole" on the sailboat. The deck is
something the women lay on, lol.

 

[fshngho]

Re: Just for the sake of asking.......(no executions allowed)

If I were your ""sailor friend" I would do as suggested and make sure the transom is good. Then I would install plywood ( no fiberglass though) so there is no soft spots. Then take it out. If I decided to keep it I would re-do the proper way. If I decided to sell it, my conscience would dictate that I tell the buyer about the floor so they know it's not 100% and will need work. I, as a "sailor" would obviously know safety is # 1 on the water, exspecially with the family on board.

 

[dmoriarty51]

Re: Just for the sake of asking.......(no executions allowed)

do bear in mind that laying down extra wood adds weight, and turns the soft spot into a compost heap by trapping moisture and heat thus accellerating the rot.

i am in the process of dealing with this type of "fix" thank god its in a tin boat tho.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Just for the sake of asking.......(no executions allowed)

However, for argument's sake, let's also assume he
doesn't want to expel the time/energy/resources into a boat he's not going
to keep either way.

For arguments sake...let say the sailor does not like baseball...but his kids do.. should said sailor get his kid a mit ?

If Said ( and I know this is kinda a humorous post but lets just CUT to the Chase ) sailer doesn't want to expel the time/energy/resources into a boat he's not going
to keep either way... Well then Dump it...

If you would like to try to restore..or have more direct questions..Post some pics please..and hypothetically tell us What you want to do

Peace..

YD.

 

[JAFO1]

Re: Just for the sake of asking.......(no executions allowed)

For arguments sake...let say the sailor does not like baseball...but his kids do.. should said sailor get his kid a mit ?

If Said ( and I know this is kinda a humorous post but lets just CUT to the Chase ) sailer doesn't want to expel the time/energy/resources into a boat he's not going
to keep either way... Well then Dump it...

If you would like to try to restore..or have more direct questions..Post some pics please..and hypothetically tell us What you want to do

Peace..

YD.

Greatness Doc.

 

[sasto]

Re: Just for the sake of asking.......(no executions allowed)

For arguments sake...let say the sailor does not like baseball...but his kids do.. should said sailor get his kid a mit ?

If Said ( and I know this is kinda a humorous post but lets just CUT to the Chase ) sailer doesn't want to expel the time/energy/resources into a boat he's not going
to keep either way... Well then Dump it...

If you would like to try to restore..or have more direct questions..Post some pics please..and hypothetically tell us What you want to do

Peace..

YD.

With that said by the said sailor.....and that said by the said Dr. (let the Dr say the said again)....well said

No worries...said sailor...the said powerboaters here won't eat up..