new to boats. Question on Hull design and Rot Repair

[ShawnQ]

<br /><br />That is my idea of what the inside of my hull looks like from a cross-sectional view (1968 Chrysler Commando 151). Am I missing anything(besides various bracing, etc). This is a pretty vague picture, but it is what I would think are the 'basics' to my hull. Correct me if I'm wrong, please.<br /><br />Now, for Rot Repair. On the deck of my boat, I have one soft spot that is about a 12" diameter circle. Looking at my boat, it appears that the bottom half (hull) of it is one piece, and the deck is another, and the top is simply dropped into the bottom and sealed where the edges meet (where the red lines are in the picture).<br /><br />For me to fix the rot, I would have to totally remove the deck of the boat, replace the rotted wood with new exterior grade wood soaked in sealer, and replace the foam. On top of that, replace any other wood that looks even SLIGHTLY damaged, or aged while I'm in there.<br /><br />What else is involved? Would you say that I have a pretty good idea of what to do when I decide to start the project? (sooner the better, of course)<br /><br />How much of a pain is it to remove the whole deck in one piece? <br /><br />For what it's worth, here's a picture of the same boat as mine:<br />

<br /><br />The blue deck/interior and the white hull/exterior appear to be two seperate pieces. You guys are probably thinking 'What a moron', but this is my first boat (19yrs old), and I would like to keep it around for a while, so I better keep the cancer from spreading.<br /><br />Let me know if my idea of hull structure and rot repair is totally wrong, or if I'm missing something critical or obvious.<br /><br />Thanks for the help!<br />Shawn

 

[roscoe]

Re: new to boats. Question on Hull design and Rot Repair

High Shawn. I can't tell you a thing about the work you want to do on your boat. But wanted to tell you it looks kind of neet. And I think they refer to that hull as a Cathedral hull. Kind of a v hull with little outriggers on the edges. I had one similar to it in '85. <br /><br />Have fun.

 

[Solittle]

Re: new to boats. Question on Hull design and Rot Repair

Shawn - You missed the stringers in your diagram. They are usually wood completely encapsulated in fiberglass - to the inner bottom of the hull. They are what gives the hull strength.<br /><br />There is more information than you probably care to read on the subject in this site. Spend some time with and get to know the search function at the top of the page. Try different search arguements.<br /><br />Replacing just the floor is a fair amount of work but can be done without having to seperate the inner liner from the hull. Basically cut out the old floor - use it for a pattern - and glass in the new.

 

[ShawnQ]

Re: new to boats. Question on Hull design and Rot Repair

Take a look at this picture: <br />

<br /><br />The red circle is where I believe a little bit of rot has occurred in the boat I just purchased. There is obviously a previous hole that was patched, which could very well be the cause. You can see it in the bottom left of the picture.<br /> I am not in too much of a hurry to fix it, but I know it can only get worse, so I'd like to look into it.<br /><br />It is in the front half of the boat, between the bow and the center console. Here is the boat, to let you better understand where it is at:<br />

<br /><br />Now, would I be better off cutting the floor out of it, and re-glassing the piece I took out back into the floor? Or would I be better off taking the complete top part off of the lower hull, replacing the wood, and reinstalling it? The top shell is in pretty good shape, with very few obvious problems. The only major defect is the patched hole shown in the picture. Other than that, there are a few stress cracks around the cleats, and other minor blemishes. So, I'd rather not ruin it(by cutting/splicing/etc)or replace it if I dont have to.<br /><br />If you look, there is a piece of metal trim that goes around the boat towards the bottom, almost to the floor.(It's in the pic of the rot) Is this factory on a chrysler boat, or has someone done some repair before? This could possibly be an easier route.<br /><br />Like I said, the rot is nothing major right now, I can jump up and down on the spot (180lbs) without it moving much, but it does move a little, so I'm sure rot has begun.<br /><br />Hopefully that metal trim is covering a seam between the floor and the rest of the top half of the boat. Anyone know?<br /><br />Thanks!<br />Shawn

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: new to boats. Question on Hull design and Rot Repair

ShawnQ,<br />Been there, done that with a different boat brand about the same vintage. My best advice is to go slow. First of all find and buy a book called Runabout Renovation by Anderson. Costs less than $20 and will answer all your questions, plus give you all the renovation info/guides you need. I believe you can find it on Amazon.com. Thing to remember is to remake the boat the way you want it. Study the way it's laid out now and then figure out what you do like and don't like, then make it all just exactly what you like as you renovate it.

 

[Solittle]

Re: new to boats. Question on Hull design and Rot Repair

If you can jump up and down on it with little effect you might give some thought to doing nothing for now and see if it gets worse in a year or so. Who knows your might want to get another boat before you have a real problem. After all the boat is only 35 years old and should last another year or two if you do nothing.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: new to boats. Question on Hull design and Rot Repair

Shawn,<br />Wow! That's a cool first boat. Wasn't able to get the pix with your first post on this thread until I got home to my home computer (VIVE LE MACS!!).<br />With a spot that small, I wouldn't worry about it...since you are thinking about building another boat anyway. I would just cut a thin sheet of plywood to cover it and then carpet the plywood. If you take care of it and keep it covered or in the garage/carport, the floor should remain sound for several more years.<br />What size outboard does she have? I bet she handles pretty well. Good luck.

 

[ShawnQ]

Re: new to boats. Question on Hull design and Rot Repair

It's a 65 Johnson, model# 65ESL-72S...it runs and idles fine, but it doesn't have the power that it used to (when my friend that I bought it from owned it). It used to get up on a plane very well, and go ~35mph...<br />Now, it doesn't have any high end, and will only go ~10mph. I just purchased it on Tuesday, and haven't even had it on the water to experience/diagnose the problem myself. Hopefully it is something minor!<br /><br />I have noticed that there are several people with this model of engine, so I should have a lot of support behind me.<br /><br />I think it is a great boat for $500, and my first (of many, I hope!) I would like to start building one in about a year...we'll see!<br /><br />Thanks<br />Shawn

 

[ShawnQ]

Re: new to boats. Question on Hull design and Rot Repair

As for the boat (forgot to reply to that). I really like the setup of it compared to most of the boats that came from the same time era as this one. It's very 'fishable', as opposed to those with a full windshield. It is a center console layout, with one side being a deck, and one side being a walk-thru. I think I will have a good time in it, and hopefully get my moneys worth out of it!<br /><br />The hull is what I think is called a 'cathedral' hull, it looks a lot like my dad's 'Grady White', and that thing is a dream on the water...so hopefully this one will do pretty good.<br /><br />However, in the future I would definitely like something a little better equipped for the shallows, so that's what I'll build! But, this should hold me over until then!<br /><br />Shawn