Can I use my boat before floor repair?

[Sparkman]

What a great forum, I'm so glad I found you guys.<br /><br />I just bought a 1981 MFG 15' tri-hull with a 50 HP evinrude. The boat is in decent shape, but the floor is pretty bad. I bought it from a friend of mine, knowing that the floor would need to be replaced. He swore he was keeping it dry, but upon picking it up last weekend I discovered that it had been getting wet, and the damage seems to be more severe than I had anticipated. The boat had a second floor layered over the original before my friend got it, so it's been bad for a while. The cockpit type thing on the passenger side that holds the windshield has sagged to the point that the windshield will no longer close. It seems that things are pretty bad under there.<br /><br />Now the problem. I won't have a garage to work on it in until late July when we move. I'd like to use it this season and then make a winter project of it. I suppose I could work on it outside, but I would stand a much larger chance of it getting wet.<br /><br />Can I damage the boat further by using it before the floor is repaired? Is it safe?<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[gregmercer]

Re: Can I use my boat before floor repair?

I say just use it.<br /><br />Whether it is safe or not would have to be your call but I would guess it will be fine. <br /><br />It has been used like this for a while so why not a few more months.<br /><br />Use it, make it a winter project.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Can I use my boat before floor repair?

use it gently, no wave jumping. don't break an ankle stepping thru the floor. if the floor is that bad the foam is probably water logged, and you will have very poor performance, and really put a strain on the engine, because your are carrying water.

 

[surlyjoe]

Re: Can I use my boat before floor repair?

if the stringers/transom are rotten as well, you could well damage the hull or lose the motor. there is no crime working on it outside, just get a good tarp to keep it dry inside and a big fan and a small heater will get the dew out and bring it up to working temp in 20 muinutes or so.

 

[Sparkman]

Re: Can I use my boat before floor repair?

How many hours do you estimate the floor would take me? I have been involved in two floor replacements on similar boats, but only bits and pieces, not the whole projects.<br /><br />I'm pretty sure the transom is good, what's the best way to check for sure?<br /><br />Thanks again!<br /><br />Cory

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Can I use my boat before floor repair?

a rubber mallot, tap lightly all the way around, then work you way to the middle. when the sound changes thats where the rot is. will sound hollow.

 

[brownies]

Re: Can I use my boat before floor repair?

Raise the motor up and hop up on the cavitation plate and bounce. (make sure the trailer is hooked to a vehicle).<br /><br />Need somebody 200-300lbs to do this for you. Slight transom flex is okay. <br />If it flexes lots or breaks.....either way....it needs replacing.<br /><br />If you are afraid to do this because you might hurt the boat? Don't be. If it won't take that, it doesn't need to be in the water.

 

[surlyjoe]

Re: Can I use my boat before floor repair?

Originally posted by Sparkman:<br /> How many hours do you estimate the floor would take me? I have been involved in two floor replacements on similar boats, but only bits and pieces, not the whole projects.<br /><br />I'm pretty sure the transom is good, what's the best way to check for sure?<br /><br />Thanks again!<br /><br />Cory

hard to say, the stringers and the floor can all be glassed in about 6 hours straight work over a couple days, its getting all the prep work done and fitting/sealing the new stuff to go in that takes the time.

 

[lingcod]

Re: Can I use my boat before floor repair?

How many hours do you estimate the floor would take me? I have been involved in two floor replacements on similar boats, but only bits and pieces, not the whole projects.<br /><br />I'm pretty sure the transom is good, what's the best way to check for sure?<br /><br />Thanks again!<br /><br />Cory <br /><br />alot of this depends on the type of resin used. If you go with poly, you can lay up layer after layer and then let it cure. If you go with epoxy the you lay a layer, let it kick off and lay another. depending on temps, this could be 3-4 hous between layers. epoxy is what I did and It took me a month of every spare minute to get it done.