Deck Rot and Decisions - Need Help!

[Ryno 13]

I'll try to be brief. This past weekend was to be a good weekend getting the boat ready for the PA boating season. This was not to be. I noticed a soft spot in the deck under the drivers seat and upon inspection I found what you see in the attached photos. After the inital shock that lasted about 2 days, I find myself thinking of how to address this issue. I never planned on keeping the boat more that 5-7 years and she has owned me for the past 2. That leaves me with an anticipated usable life of 3-5 years. The rest of the deck seems to be very solid (i am a big guy and if anything could find a soft spot it would be my large frame standing on it!) Practical thinking tells me that if this is rotted the rest of the wood can't be much better. I tried to inspect the stringers and foam and they seem to be dry. I was thinking that I might be able to just replace the rotted deck and replace the carpet to get my 3 years out of her. On the other hand, I don't want to take her to the lake if she is unsafe. This is where I need the knowledge and experience of this forum to assist me in making my decision. I don't really mind putting in the time to repair a boat, but if I do I want it to be one that I plan on keeping for a long time.

So much for being brief. Here are some additional details: 1989 Ebbtide Montego 170, 1995 90hp Mariner, previous owner kept her inside I store her outside with a new cover and tarp in the winter. The one thing that I thought of that keeps my hope alive is that this is an isolated soft spot. Water collected in this exact spot after a 3 month period with a poor cover and trailer jack in the level position.

Any help or advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[salty87]

Re: Deck Rot and Decisions - Need Help!

initial thoughts are that rot is cancer, it spreads. you're only seeing the tip of the iceberg most likely.

chances are that water wicked thru the carpet and wherever else it could and into/under your ply. if you're going to fix it, best to start now. it's only getting worse sitting there.

a patch to that area might get you a few more years but it's very likely that you'll find other soft spots or humps growing from things swelling in due time.

 

[lowkee]

Re: Deck Rot and Decisions - Need Help!

Yeah, that entire deck is already toast if that wood is coming out in chunks like that. That is a nice looking boat; I'm not sure why you plan on getting rid of it. I think you may be able to simply replace just the main part of the deck if you are simply trying to limp by for a few more years. Just make sure the foam isn't soaked under the deck. If it is, it'll have to come out.

On a side note, a good wet sanding and a buff and that gel coat will become the deep glossy blue is once was.

 

[JaSla74]

Re: Deck Rot and Decisions - Need Help!

Looks pretty rotted & it might be wide spread, but you won't know for sure until you do some core samples. I'd take some samples, find her true condition, & go from there..

 

[boat1010]

Re: Deck Rot and Decisions - Need Help!

"Soft spot" was a little understated. Ouch. been there done that. If you are planning to keep the boat, well for that mater it will help ya sell it too, replace the deck. Lots of work but lots of gratification when you are done.

 

[Ryno 13]

Re: Deck Rot and Decisions - Need Help!

Thanks for the replies. It sounds like the safest thing to do is the core samples. Where should I start? I'm guessing stringers, foam, and transom. I saw in another thread a few tips on doing the core samples but any suggestions would be helpful. I am new to boating and I don't fully understand the limitations of fiberglass and what is safe and unsafe. I have visions of a rotted transom failing while on the water and the motor dropping to the bottom, not to mention the safety of the passengers. Looks like at a minimum I'll be researching this board on how to replace the deck. I've tinkered with cars and carpentry my whole life so I guess some of the basics will translate. The fiberglass repair will be a first for me.

Lowkee, I have been researching this board on how to bring back the color of the gel coat. It's gray but is definitely in need of care. I was planning on doing this before I became aware of this more immediate problem. My plan was to use this boat to "ease" into a family hobby and then graduate to something bigger once I became experienced. Looks like those plans may have changed as the new family hobby might be learning how to restore a boat!

 

[JaSla74]

Re: Deck Rot and Decisions - Need Help!

Search core samples & you'll get the idea. Basically any wood/foam that comes out wet will need to be replaced. Unfortunately judging by the pics & year of your boat it's most likely wide spread. You won't know for sure until you pull some samples, but it looks like you're in for a deck, stringer, & (hopefully not) transom restore.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Deck Rot and Decisions - Need Help!

That's a real nice looking boat. I wouldn't mind having one just like it. There's always a demand for outboard bowriders. Something to consider is that your boat is going to be difficult to sell in its current condition and you'd certainly have to settle for much less $ than if it was solid. However, if you did the restoration and documented it iBoats style I would think you could easily add a grand or more to your asking price when you decide to move up. If I were you I'd tear out the whole deck and see what you have under there and then decide how much needs to be rebuilt.

 

[Ryno 13]

Re: Deck Rot and Decisions - Need Help!

It's been a few days since I found the rot and I haven't done anything to explore the extent further. Hopefully this weekend I can do some core samples. I'll post pics of my findings. In the mean time, I think I am starting to think (thanks to the members of this board) that this would make a good winter project. Is there any harm in doing a patch job to get me through this season and then spend the time to do it right over the winter?

Now that you all have me thinking, I could take the time to customize this boat to be more of a fish and ski, with a focus on the fishing setup. Any suggestions?

 

[mike64]

Re: Deck Rot and Decisions - Need Help!

Is there any harm in doing a patch job to get me through this season and then spend the time to do it right over the winter?

I think the two big questions you need to answer are:
1. Is your foam still dry? Waterlooged foam can add several hundred pounds to your boat, and I imagine waterlogged foam loses most or all of its intended purpose, to keep the boat afloat if the hull is breached.
2. Is your transom still in good shape?

If the answer is yes to both those questions, you may be ok with a patch job till winter.

 

[Ryno 13]

Re: Deck Rot and Decisions - Need Help!

I understand that to check the foam and transom I must do the core sample or at least drill to see what comes out. I visually inspected the transom and I don't see any cracks in the glas, signs of dampness, mold, etc. Are there any other indicators that the transom could be bad?

 

[mike64]

Re: Deck Rot and Decisions - Need Help!

The core sample is for checking the foam. Drill a 2" core out of an inconspicuous spot on the deck (good idea to drill first with a small dia. drill bit to make sure you find a 2" area between stringers). then use a piece of PVC pipe sharpened on one end to extract a sample of the foam.

To check the transom, the most definitive way is to use a small diameter drillbit and drill a little ways into the transom from the inside at a few key spots. Check the sawdust that comes out with the drill. Light colored and dry is good. Dark colored and damp is bad-- water is getting in. Black and crumbly: rotten. Fill holes with 3M 5200 to seal up.

If you don't want to drill into the transom, look at the inside for any signs of trouble especially where the deck meets the transom-- glass coming loose from thw wood underneath, cracking, etc. Take a close look where anything was added to the transom aftermarket, like pitots or transducers. Do they look like they were professionally installed or are they barely hanging on with rusty screws and tattered remnants of window-seal quality silicone? there's also a "tap test" with a rubber mallet or similar for the transom-- good wood will give a "bright" sound, rotten a dull thump. also, can you cause the transom to flex by moving your outboard up and down? That's bad.

 

[Eshaw150]

Re: Deck Rot and Decisions - Need Help!

When i replaced the deck in my 1972 Glasstron I Glassed the whole floor top and bottom glass the bottom side before its installed then glass the top once installed the glassing whill help prevent rot for many years and help sell it better It was a great learning experience for me

 

[Paul Bell]

Re: Deck Rot and Decisions - Need Help!

Your situation sounds familiar. I recently approached a soft spot repair in my 89 Celebrity.
I believe that most every boat out there that has ever gotten wet at some point has these issues below unless that deck is completely sealed with no ability for water to penetrate. I always figured water below just went to the bilge......http://picasaweb.google.com/pacerdude/EntireDeckReplacement89Celebrity224se#

Here is my pictorial adventure that is almost completed.

 

[Ryno 13]

Re: Deck Rot and Decisions - Need Help!

Well I think I might have good news to report. This past weekend I inspected the foam, transom and stringers based on advice from this board. I took a piece of pipe approx 1.5" in dia. and cored a piece of the foam under the deck (see pic). Cored sample was dry. Next I drilled several holes with a 3/16" bit approx. 4.5" into the stringers. The attached pic shows the drilled out wood shavings. Again dry and light in color. I also tapped on the transom with a rubber mallet, drilled some samples and tried to find any flex. All seemed to check out OK. I think I am going to patch the deck (see better pic attached) for this season and do a proper job by replacing the whole deck over the winter. Does anyone have any reasons why this would NOT be a good solution? If there are legitimate reasons why I should do the work now and miss out on a boating season, I would bite the bullet and do the repair now.

Also, Paul, great story and pictures! It really helps to see the whole process from start to finish. How long did that take?

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: Deck Rot and Decisions - Need Help!

Looking at the pictures of the stringers you can tell there was water getting to the stringers through the attachment points of the deck and even a bit on top of the foam. That is probably YEARS and YEARS and YEARS of water just lightly soaking in though. If all your samples came back dry or even relatively dry with no signs of full rot... I say you fix up that area with a temporary patch for the season and enjoy the boat! You've already got 2 years out of it, another 6 - 8 months isn't going to kill it. I'd just make sure that when you take the boat out that in the back of your mind you know that there are lingering issues and to not push the boat too hard this season. I probably wouldn't pull a tube or anyone skiing. Then come winter time, have at it and fix the trouble areas fully and completely. It'll only help the re-sale.

 

[Nippissinger]

Re: Deck Rot and Decisions - Need Help!

Yes Ryno, I would say you are good to go as far as a patch for this season goes. Try and cut back as much as you can to make it square/rectangle so it is easier to blend in. You can get away with jsut 1 coat of resin/glass to seal this patch, or do it right and double up on the coats to protect for a longer duration. You can go as far as Fir G1S for the floor. No need for prtessure treated...

Good Luck and you should be back on the water in no time...

Nipper...

 

[Paul Bell]

Re: Deck Rot and Decisions - Need Help!

Hey Ryno,
I would agree on your idea of patching and enjoying unless your lucky enough to have a 12 month boating season.
I started pulling up the carpet on mine in the beginning of November.
I try to have a winter project to mess with but never anticipated the extent of this one. It has been fun though and helped with the usual needing a support group when the boat gets put away for the winter.
Considering the extent of the disintegrated wood I pulled out and the times we were loaded up and hitting waves this unknowing of the damage below deck I dont feel you need to be too concerned of structural issues this season.

Hoping to get mine to the finished restoration page in the next few weeks and out on the boat lift for the season!

My Deck soft spot adventure:
http://picasaweb.google.com/pacerdude/EntireDeckReplacement89Celebrity224se#

 

[88BLiner]

Re: Deck Rot and Decisions - Need Help!

Hello Ryno, I would have to agree that the patch job on the floor would be okay for a temporary fix, but I would cut out the whole floor and replace the whole thing. That way you can get a a look at and more core samples of stringers and foam and what is hiding under the rest of that floor.

By the way nice boat!

 

[Ryno 13]

Re: Deck Rot and Decisions - Need Help!

Thanks for all of the good advice and compliments! I am going to patch and enjoy the season! The patchwork will be a good primer for the "real" work to come over the winter. I have ZERO experience with fiberglas so this will definitely be an opportunity to learn. I will be searching the boards for tips!

My plans for the proper repair include ending the season a little early so I can do all of the tear out and inspection outside. Hopefully by the time it gets cold I can move inside and complete the deck replacement (i am trying to stay positive) over the winter. I don't think I will be replacing the carpet as I like the advantages of a painted deck.

Good luck with your project, Paul. I am sure you can't wait for that first cruise!