What is a "soft spot" exactly?

[salmonee]

Okay, I'm looking at boat over the weekend. The floor is all fiberglass and has a self bailing deck. I read about taking a mallet and tapping the floor for soft spot. Because I don't know what to look for, can you tell me what a "soft spot" actually feels like? This may be a dumb question.

 

[david_r]

Re: What is a "soft spot" exactly?

there arent many boats that are all fiberglass.

what you are looking for is rotted plywood under the fiberglass.........it can be fixed but can be a pain to split the boat into 2 pieces.

you dont have to use a hammer -your knuckle or a coin will do............you want a good solid sound.

be forewarned if the floor has "soft spots" the transom is most likely due for repairs also.

most of the time you will notice a soft spot while walking around inside the boat.......floor will actually bow under your weight.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: What is a "soft spot" exactly?

Just walk around, check the corners and across the back. A soft spot will almost feel like you are stepping on a piece of sponge and the deck will give in that spot.

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: What is a "soft spot" exactly?

no such thing as a dumb question....A soft spot is exactly that, a spot on the deck that is no longer firm, rigid, unflexing. If you come across a spot that is soft you will feel it. the floor will flex under the weight of your foot. I think your more likely to experience this problem on an older boat with glassed over wood floors than fiberglass floor but it can definitely be on any boat not taken care of. The hammer method I think is more for the transom but I can never tell the difference in sound. I'm sure many can.

 

[rebars1]

Re: What is a "soft spot" exactly?

I have tapped using a ball-peened hammer to check my transom. When you hit an area with rot, the sound will go from a "ping, ping" sound to more of a "pock, pock" sound.

I guess if hit the floor hard enough with the mallet you can make your own soft spot

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What is a "soft spot" exactly?

use a mallot or a the rubber coated handle on a hammer. hit my boat with a ball peened i will be using it on you.

Buying a boat

1st you need to decide what you want to use it for, fishing, cruising, or water sports.

2nd how many people adults, children you want on board of the average outing.

3rd outboard, inboard-outboard, or inboard power plant.

4th Budget, what you want to pay, and what you are willing to pay, when you find
Exactly what you want.

You can hire a marine surveyor, to inspect the boat, or you can do it yourself.

You are mainly looking for soft spots in the deck, transom, cracks, all signs of a rotten, under frame. You walk all over the deck, that a mallot, or hammer with wooden handle, using handle, tap all over the transom, a shape rap is good solid base, a thud, is questionable base.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. (This part for outboard motors Compression should be atleast 100psi, and within 10% of each other,)
Spark on all cylinders, good pee stream, check lower unit for water in oil.

The overall condition of the boat will tell you a lot, as to how it has been maintained.
boat motor combo, A 30 year old may be in better condition, than a 3 year old.

 

[kbkindle]

Re: What is a "soft spot" exactly?

the soft spot can be wood rot under fiberglass or just fiber glass can get soft from the sun or saltwater eather one is a problem be sure to check real good because you will have to repair the worst boat i ever seen with fiberglass soft spots was a glasstron i use to work on a bunch of these boats and really did not like the repairs when it gets bad really hard to repair and the cost is really high