Temporary Deck Fix

[neverendingproject]

First I just wanted to say hi and what a great resource this site is.

My dad recently bought a 1986 Four Winns Freedom that is in good shape apart from the rotted deck. It is quite spongy and feels as though your foot may go through it. He really wants to get it in the water this year and I was wondering if using some 3/4" pressure treated plywood over the existing floor until we can rip it out and do it correctly would work. I plan on tackling the total replacement this fall but just trying to think of a temporary solution.

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: Temporary Floor Fix

Re: Temporary Floor Fix

First I just wanted to say hi and what a great resource this site is.

My dad recently bought a 1986 Four Winns Freedom that is in good shape apart from the rotted floor. It is quite spongy and feels as though your foot may go through it. He really wants to get it in the water this year and I was wondering if using some 3/4" pressure treated plywood over the existing floor until we can rip it out and do it correctly would work. I plan on tackling the total replacement this fall but just trying to think of a temporary solution.

Welcome to iboat Dry Dock

You've asked a question that is asked many times here and there is no quick fix. You stated that "is in good shape apart from the rotted floor". That alone does away with the pretty good shape part. Your deck (floor) is a sturcutral part of the boat and you can rest assured the rotten wood extends far beyond what you are seeing.

The one thing I will tell you for sure is putting plywood over the rotten wood is the worse thing you can do...either fix it right or get rid of it..... No one here will recommend a patch without knowing the full extent of the damage.

Post up some pictures of the damage and lets see what we've got to work with.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Temporary Floor Fix

Re: Temporary Floor Fix

A lot of boats rot from the bottom up. By the time you notice a soft deck, the structure of the boat is shot. No one here will advise you on a patch job.

 

[neverendingproject]

Re: Temporary Floor Fix

Re: Temporary Floor Fix

I figured as much. Thank you for your responses. Im going to look at it this weekend so I will see what I can do.

 

[oops!]

Re: Temporary Floor Fix

Re: Temporary Floor Fix

the problem with throwing a chunk of wood over the spongy areas is it gives you a false sence of security.

with feeling like you might go thru the floor, that means there are far more issues with the boat including possibly the transom.

get your dad on this site and have him start reading....then ask him to read some more.
we can guide you

 

[Mark42]

Re: Temporary Floor Fix

Re: Temporary Floor Fix

How handy are you and your Dad? If you have done projects like build a deck, you can repair the boat. Depends on how much time and money is available. Chances are if you started tearing into the boat this weekend, you would not be done until August if you worked one full day every weekend.

If you want to go boating this season, buy another boat. I hope your Dad didn't spend too much on the boat he just bought.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Temporary Floor Fix

Re: Temporary Floor Fix

Hello Neverending ... and welcome to Iboats..

The thing is .. Nobody can be absolutely Sure of what lies under your deck without some kind of inspection.

Soft deck..yup your deck is gone. However that does not mean Fact that your stringers,transom etc is shot.

I try to take a logical assumption that its not bad until you Know its bad.

To be fair..yes Normally if you have a soft deck means other problems exist .. but NOT always.

Until You post that " yup I drilled into the stringers/transom and its all shot .. what now" I cannot say for sure what you have.

It takes almost no time or effort to inspect ( core sampling or get it moisture metered ).

Personally We need more Info and pics .

YD.

 

[neverendingproject]

Re: Temporary Floor Fix

Re: Temporary Floor Fix

Thank you all for your responses. Between me and my dad I?m sure we could tackle this and I think I?ve talked him into sacrificing this summer to do it properly instead of doing a short term fix. The information on this site is excellent and makes me far more confident in doing the job. He didn?t pay a lot for this boat but he was hoping that it was ready to go as the engine on his 70's Mohawk finally died. I read some other posts where people have paid much more to find similar issues. I?m going up to the lake this weekend to take a look and do some more exploratory work so hopefully I will have more to report then.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Temporary Floor Fix

Re: Temporary Floor Fix

I?m going up to the lake this weekend to take a look and do some more exploratory work so hopefully I will have more to report then.

I think this is a good thing..please get back .

YD.