Marine: Boating, Sailing, PWC, GPS and Navigation - Boat floor dry rot
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fewalt
03-10-03, 08:28 PM
My 1987 17.5' F&S has a very soft spot behind the driver's seat.
I'm sure it's dry rot and wondering if this is the path to go to fix it:
1) remove seats
2) remove carpet if possible
3) find out how the flooring is attached and try to remove.
4) replace flooring supprts by fiberglassing in the appropriate PT lumber.
5) replace flooring, then re-carpet
How does this sound??
fred
I'm sure it's dry rot and wondering if this is the path to go to fix it:
1) remove seats
2) remove carpet if possible
3) find out how the flooring is attached and try to remove.
4) replace flooring supprts by fiberglassing in the appropriate PT lumber.
5) replace flooring, then re-carpet
How does this sound??
fred
BoatCop
03-11-03, 03:43 PM
1) remove seats
Definite first step. They should be screwed into the floor or stringer. You can get to the screws by removing the cushions.
2) remove carpet if possible
It will be possible, but will probably be destroyrd in the process. Plan to replace it. Buy a good quality carpet, made for marine use. Stay away from ordinary indoor-outdoor junk from the hardware store.
3) find out how the flooring is attached and try to remove.
The floors should be screwed into the stringers. There may be more than one sheet (probably plywood). Inspect them all, and replace the ones that are bad or questionable (You don't want to do it all over again in a year or 2)
4) replace flooring supprts by fiberglassing in the appropriate PT lumber.
The floorboards are usually just screwed into the stringers, and some furring along the sides. They probably won't be bad. Read belwo about glassing wood.
5) replace flooring, then re-carpet
Use a good marine grade plywood. Some advocate glassing the floors to keep out moisture, but that usually just keeps water encapsulated and causes it to rot from within. A good coat of varnish will suffice.
How does this sound??
Like a lot of work, but well worth it in the end.
Definite first step. They should be screwed into the floor or stringer. You can get to the screws by removing the cushions.
2) remove carpet if possible
It will be possible, but will probably be destroyrd in the process. Plan to replace it. Buy a good quality carpet, made for marine use. Stay away from ordinary indoor-outdoor junk from the hardware store.
3) find out how the flooring is attached and try to remove.
The floors should be screwed into the stringers. There may be more than one sheet (probably plywood). Inspect them all, and replace the ones that are bad or questionable (You don't want to do it all over again in a year or 2)
4) replace flooring supprts by fiberglassing in the appropriate PT lumber.
The floorboards are usually just screwed into the stringers, and some furring along the sides. They probably won't be bad. Read belwo about glassing wood.
5) replace flooring, then re-carpet
Use a good marine grade plywood. Some advocate glassing the floors to keep out moisture, but that usually just keeps water encapsulated and causes it to rot from within. A good coat of varnish will suffice.
How does this sound??
Like a lot of work, but well worth it in the end.
fewalt
03-11-03, 07:34 PM
Hey Alan,
Thanks a bunch, that's about what I figured the process to be.
And, hopefully the flooring is just screwed down.
You mentioned marine ply. Is PT plywwod a good substitute?
I knew to order carpet from Cabella's or Overtons, etc.
Thx again, it will be a fun project.
fred
Thanks a bunch, that's about what I figured the process to be.
And, hopefully the flooring is just screwed down.
You mentioned marine ply. Is PT plywwod a good substitute?
I knew to order carpet from Cabella's or Overtons, etc.
Thx again, it will be a fun project.
fred
Ed Imeduc
03-15-03, 11:49 AM
You might want to check out "Defender 800-435-7180 for the STUFF you need here for the boat ;) ED