1979 manatee floor soft spot.

[Jayflash7]

Hey guys. So i have a 1979 mantee v19 that i bought last year. I noticed a soft spot in the floor at the helm right where the driver stands. Another soft spot where the passenger would stand same location other side of boat. The floor feels solid otherwise. I mean rock hard. Im just wondering if you guys think it could be worse than just a couple soft sports in the plywood floor or if it could be the whole floor, stringers, transom. The boat is solid other than Those two soft spots. Should i cut out the soft spots and take a look underneath? Anyone have experience with an older manatees? I hear they are strong boats and this one lives up to its name.

 

[CrazyFinn]

Yes, cut out the soft spots and have a look. Better yet, drill some test holes in the stringers and transom. I'm guessing that you won't like what you find... if it turns out to be fine, seal up the holes and then you will know.

 

[proshadetree]

First stage of denial is its not that bad. Especially with the age of the boat in question rot is most likely going to be an issue. To know how bad you will have to do as stated and check. You might be suprised abd it is isolated.

 

[Jayflash7]

Im hoping its isolated to just those locations or hopefully just the deck. I have pictures on my phone of the deck. Just by looking at it what do you think.

 

[CrazyFinn]

I'm thinking that you won't like what you find once you start digging. Hope I'm wrong!

 

[Scott Danforth]

http://forums.iboats.com/forum/boat...r/295740-how-to-s-and-other-great-information

read link 14 in its entirety. then read 1-4b

then report on your findings after test drilling

 

[Jayflash7]

I watched all his videos and read that thread before i posted this lol. So i when i got home from work today i went ahead and tore some of the floor up to see what i was working with. Here are some pictures that i took. Floor is completely rotted so i will be tearing it completely out. Foam has retained water but not as much as i thought it would. I will be tearing all the foam out as well. The deck has been replaced before it seems. I see the outter deck that they didnt completely remove. As you can see from the pictues the stringers have been enclosed in fiberglass and seem sturdy. I will drill into them and see if they are rotted as well as the transom. Hopefully they are not. If you guys have any other recomendations i am all ears this is my first restoration project. No idea is a bad idea.

 

[Baylinerchuck]

No real way of knowing unless you drill a few test holes to see if the wood is dry, wet, or rotted. I have to say though, my 1990 Chap was WAY worst than your boat. The picture you posted shows there wasn't a lot of water in the foam and your stringers are in tact. Now that means nothing if the wood is wet when you drill your test holes. I know the wet and rot always gets worst the closer to the transom you get....Keep posting the pictures....WE LIKE PICTURES!!

 

[Jayflash7]

Defintely will post more pictures i just have to find a easier way to make them small enough on my phone to upload them. Yea those pictures are right where the driver and passenger would stand. So as far forward before the cuddy. Hopefully it looks like that all the way to the transom. Ill keep you updated.

 

[CrazyFinn]

As mentioned before, it's impossible to tell what is inside the glass covering the stringers. The dark staining that I think I see near the base of the stringer in one of your photos might not be a good sign though. See if you can get to them closer to the transom - and check the transom itself. Mine looked (and felt) solid from the outside, had no flex in the drive, yet much of it was actually mush when I started digging into it.

 

[Jayflash7]

Pic of the tear out.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Well......your past step one and two (denial and acceptance)
We like photos

 

[Baylinerchuck]

Wow, that last pic everything really looks wet. Not a good sign. Dark colored foam is water.

 

[proshadetree]

You are in it now best time to isolate any good wood you find and replace all the rot. From the pic you just posted you have rot.

 

[gm280]

Jayflash7, welcome to the rotted boat refurbishing forum. Yes you have that dreaded rot, but you also came to the best place of all for assistance and suggestions to fix your rotted issues. I realize it isn't any consolation to know that what you are seeing and dealing with is basically the same as every other boater that finds rot in their boat. But you can work through this to a totally sound long last boat for as long as you want it. So post away and ask away. There are tons of experienced folks to offer both support and knowledge to help you along. JMHO

 

[Jayflash7]

Hey guys thanks for the support and helpful info. I have a couple long days of work before the holiday weekend. I am trying to do as much as possible but i have a 17 months old and my wifes pregnant with baby girl number 2, shes due in february. But when i am not working and doing the family thing i will be working on the boat. Ill keep you updated. Thanks and Merry Christmas.

 

[Jayflash7]

She is a nice looking boat from the outside. Lol

 

[garbageguy]

That IS a good-looking boat. Congratulations on your new family, and boating endeavor. Keep the pics coming.

Merry Christmas!

 

[Baylinerchuck]

Nice looking boat Jay.

 

[Jayflash7]

Hey guys so for christmas the wife bougt me a new set of power tools. Yesterday i gave them a try on the boat rebuild. Ripped some more of the deck out here are some pictures. When i get time ill be cleaning up the foam and grinding everything down for a new deck. Alot of prep work ahead for me