Rotted Wood!

[spin-a-bait]

I just bought a '91 Javelin 389TE w/150 Johnson.The boat is in great condition,It looks like new,but when I got the boat home after the guy let me test drive it,I was thinking about moving the Hot Foot further back but before I did I wanted to make sure that it really needed to be moved so I was pushing the pedal down and some how the whole pedal ripped out of the floor.So I looked at the owners manual and it says the boat has wood in it.I was wondering what the best way to fix this problem was?I guess I will have to replace the floor.Does anybody know how much this will cost?Or is there any other way to fix the floor?

 

[dkondelik]

Re: Rotted Wood!

i had the exact same thing happen a few years ago in a Champion. The short term/quick-fix is to just move the pedal to where you wanted it.<br /><br />The bigger concernis the deck. how much rot is there?<br />you may wish to consider redecking (after the season is over if the wood isn'too bad) and replacing anyother bad wood that you might find.<br /><br />Good Luck<br />HAVE FUN!

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Rotted Wood!

sounds like when they installed it, they didn't<br />properly seal the screw holes. is it only the<br />holes that are soft or whole floor area?<br />if just holes, seal old ones real good, then<br />seal new ones when u move it.<br />good luck,<br />M.Y.

 

[spin-a-bait]

Re: Rotted Wood!

thanks mellowyellow,we were thinking about putting a stainless steel plate under the pedal when we move it to cover up the old holes,do you think this will be sufficient?

 

[sharkcat]

Re: Rotted Wood!

As a quick fix it will work but be aware that rot is caused by fungus & it will continue to spread under the plate the only way to get rid of it is to cut out all the soft wood & a bit of solid around it & either replace the wood or fill it with filler if not too big a hole & reglass & flowcoat to waterproof then replace the pedal where you want it.Make sure you seal around the fixings I use sikaflex 291 great stuff.There are probably chemicals that will kill the fungus as well but you still have to remove the soft wood..Good luck

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Rotted Wood!

a plate will only hold moisture in more...<br />fill old holes with a good epoxy. <br />I'd guess the rot is limited to the holes.<br />if caught early, you should be OK.<br />to be sure, see if the area around it is spongey<br />at all.<br />good luck,<br />M.Y.<br />(edit)<br />good idea to drill the old holes a little bigger<br />to remove soft wood. epoxy won't stick to well<br />if it's rotted. regular car radiator fluid kills<br />rot and stops it from spreading too.

 

[nilsson]

Re: Rotted Wood!

Hi Spinabait<br /><br />I have to agree with sharkcat. Best to check for fungus wood rot by standing/stomping on your floor area checking for softness. Fungus is caused by freshwater/rainwater leaking into the bilge/floor area and eating away the wood thru the enevitable cracks from the years. This fungus cannot grow in saltwater. My grandad used to sprinkle salt into the bilge/transom area on his old 16ft Hartley bondwood- virtually no rot happened!. Most glass boats use similar marine ply in construction. <br />Then again, you might be lucky, maybe rusted, weak screws/bolts merely pulled themselves out of good, strong wood!- I'd have to see your boat!.<br /><br />Hey sharkcat, hows the fishing over there in Perth?, its not happenin' here, thats for sure!.<br /><br />Nilsson

 

[spin-a-bait]

Re: Rotted Wood!

hey guys thanks for the info