Replacing Floor / Stringers While Afloat?

[evelte]

Howdy,<br /><br />I've been lurking here for the last few weeks and have gotten a lot of good info. Thanks.<br /><br />I have also noticed a trend on this board that most resto owners seem to go through. It goes something like this:<br /><br />Step 1: Notice squishy spot on deck<br />Step 2: Do some research on-line<br />Step 3: With renewed confidence, cut little hole Step 4: Notice some rot on stringers<br />Step 5: Cut larger hole, eventually the whole deck<br />Step 6: Panic<br /><br />And then either:<br />Step 7a: Breathe, then get to work<br />or:<br />Step 7b: Fill in hole; sell boat to unsuspecting newbie<br /><br /><br />I am at step 1 since I noticed that the bolts holding in the lounge chair on my 22' 87 Marathon weren't really holding the seat down (I think gravity was the only fastener still in effect). The floor feels rotted through in localized spots around the 6 bolt holes with substantial delamination. The stringers feel OK with a screwdriver (hard stops when I poked them), but I am bracing for the worst as soon as I open up the deck around the seat.<br /><br />Now for my question: Can I replace the floor and/or stringers with the boat in the water? I know it sounds lazy or crazy, but I was thinking that the water would support the hull much more evenly that having it on my trailer or on jack stands. <br /><br />I have the room dockside to do the actual work and the marina has said they will allow me to work while the boat is floating, but I wanted to see if anyone has info before I even started.<br /><br />Later.

 

[patuxent]

Re: Replacing Floor / Stringers While Afloat?

I'm glad you asked this question; I actually wondered if floating in water wouldn't be the ideal way to support a boat during this kind of work. Even pressure and support, etc. I wonder how well it would work out in practice though, rocking, tipping, bouncing on wakes, etc. But it's an interesting question from a theoretical point of view.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Replacing Floor / Stringers While Afloat?

Pros block the hull. Once you remove what's there it may shift/warp if not blocked. Then, you'll "lock-in" any deformation when you put in the new skeleton....

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Replacing Floor / Stringers While Afloat?

What if you accidentally cut a hole in the hull like so many have done while removing all the old wood?

 

[evelte]

Re: Replacing Floor / Stringers While Afloat?

Ralph, when you say block the hull, does that mean on the trailer & jack stands; or should I make a crib out of 4x4s/steel I-beams/etc?<br /><br />It probably means the difference between doing it now and waiting until the end of the season before starting.<br /><br />Here's what I was thinking if I left it in the water: <br /><br />I would cut away the under-lounge section of the floor (2x4 feet) plus any additional surrounding soft areas. I would take care to cut out the section of decking from stringer to stringer so I would have something to fasten to.<br /><br />I would then inspect the stringers (which are glass over beefy (5/4?) ply from the looks of them) and scrape and fill any dry rot or voids with epoxy.<br /><br />I'll use resined 1/2" ply and glass to rebuild the floor.<br /><br />Does this sound doable while still afloat -- provided I don't cut through the hull :-> Or will simply cutting away a portion of the floor adversely affect the hull.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />--Eric

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Replacing Floor / Stringers While Afloat?

You are also expecting the water to stay perfectly flat. A small wave with no bones and your are done. Also you moving around in the boat will (again with no bones) will deform it.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Replacing Floor / Stringers While Afloat?

If indeed you only have to do a localized repair, you would have minimal problems doing it on the water. There is a downfall though. Cleanliness and dryness are things that are necessary with a repair like this. If it started raining, storming, that could be a problem. It is always more humid on the water, so that can affect things. If it were me, I would do the repair on land, under shelter or in a shop. <br /><br />As has been said, one slip and you could hole the hull, with a nasty end result. Also, if you do need to do a full refloor/restringer, the drivetrain needs to come out anyway (or the outboard may need to come off if you have an outboard). The reason being, if you ar going to go through all the fuss, you should replace the transom as well, so you have a complete repair. You can do all of this on the trailer as long as it is sitting on the trailer nice and level, with no twisting. Good luck...

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Replacing Floor / Stringers While Afloat?

Just the trailer and/or jacks. They block it at the first chine - transition from side of boat to start of keel. You just want to keep it square throughout the process if you are removing the stringers an bulkheads.

 

[evelte]

Re: Replacing Floor / Stringers While Afloat?

Well, after seeing the responses and doing a little digging (literally) on the stringer issue, I'll be taking her out to replace the floor and stringers. <br /><br />Thanks for all the feedback. Looks like I'm in for the long haul...

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Replacing Floor / Stringers While Afloat?

Good decision. You can make sure everything is straight on land. Can't do than in the water.