Rotten floor in my cabin

[DeepBlue2010]

Hi Everyone

As of last Saturday, I am the proud owner of 1994 2252 classic Bayliner. I played by the book. Hired hull inspector with good reputation, took her for mechanical survey. Both said that she is away above average for this type of ? old ? boat. I spent the last 4 day or so gutting the cabin to bare fiberglass in preparation for a redesign. Tonight when I was pulling the carpet for the cabin I realized a black spot n the floor; the deep area where you step into the cabin coming from outside or from the bathroom. I knocked over it and it was rotten. The rotten area is not big. About a circle of 4 or 5 inch in diameter right in the middle line of the floor and about 3 inches away from the step box. There were water under it. I have no pump in this area, only in the engine bilge. Am I in big trouble? Can someone give me a detailed advice of how to fix this? I have experience in general carpentry work but never anything like this.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated

 

[SPOONMAN1]

Re: Rotten floor in my cabin

I am in a similar situation. I had a soft spot in my floor and after reading a little, then doing some demo and finding alot, then reading alot more, I have figured out, my boat is like the majority,(floor,and stringers, possibly the transom), "if you find rotten wood, there is no telling how far it goes till you look,) Good luck

 

[DeepBlue2010]

Re: Rotten floor in my cabin

Thanks and good luck to you too. I had the boat inspected before I bought it. The transom was fully scanned using various methods including moisture meter, etc. The guy was not an idiot, I hope. The spot I found is really small and it is in the upper middle of the floor so even when you step down into the cabin, you have sold wood under you feet; probably why he missed it. In Any event, I will call him again to look at this and tell me what he thinks. In the mean time, any advice about repairing, like how to replace this piece of wood and what is required to install another one? It is attached to the hull from both sides so I want to be very careful removing it.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Rotten floor in my cabin

Welcome to iBoats!
Pics will help us to help you. Check my signature to see how to post em. Just don't delete the attachment!!!!


I'm just sayin...

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: Rotten floor in my cabin

Deepblue,

I used to have a 1998 2252. That area is right in front of the cabin door. My guess is water is getting in through the door or door bottom. I wouldn't panic just yet. Try to cut out the soft spot and then see how extensive it is. Go slow and cut small sections. If you can see the singers then you can check them out as well. My guess it is localized. Send pics. Let us know how you made out.

 

[DeepBlue2010]

Re: Rotten floor in my cabin

Thanks for the welcome,
This is what I started doing today. Little by little I am removing all the rotten wood with extra care not to touch the fiber glass (the hull itself) underneath. This is what I have done so far. I have a lot of questions though, like what is the best way to separate the edges of the wood board from the fiberglass hull? What kind of treatment ? if any for the new board ? marine varnish, epoxy, polyurethane resin or what? Then what adhesive should I use to install the new marine grade ply? The stringers were inspected before and they are sold. But I will give them another inspection tomorrow; I have already made appointment with a hull surveyor. This area has no direct contact with the stringers but never hurt to make sure. You are right about the accumulated water underneath. This was what I found. Should I install a bilge pump in the step box? What was the reason for allowing the water to flow under to begin with? Is it a precaution for any possible leaks in the cabin?

http://forums.iboats.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=64618&d=1282287010

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: Rotten floor in my cabin

Deep,

Sorry I 've been away.

Is the rot on the top of the wood (from the inside of the cabin) or on the underside (from the bildge area). That area should drain on through to the center ski locker outside. and then on through to the bidge pump under the engine. Check these through holes (limber holes) between all of the compartments to make sure everything is open and draining through to the back engine compartment. There the bidge pump should clear it out. Also that molded-in piece of pipe might be the drain from the anchor locker. Most drain directly overboard through the forward hull but this one my not.

Since you have a piece of the floor cut out, you could use this oppurtunity to make a removable hatch in that spot. Your carpet can just lay on top and you can pull it back whenever you want for future inspection if need be.