Instructions on Removing rotten flooring???

[BryanF]

I am going to have to remove the floor(only?!?!) <br />Are there any tips, special tools or blades for cutting the fiberglass?)you guys could share OR a good book W/PICS to read up on this , as this is my first boat. <br /> <br />How can you tell if the stringers are rotten if they are covered in glass? I found 2"-3" of water laying in the bottom of the boat.<br /><br />Thank you,<br />Bryan

 

[bhalsdorf]

Re: Instructions on Removing rotten flooring???

You'll need an angle grinder with a cutting disc on it and cut the fiberglass as close to the sides as you dare. Be careful not to dig into the sides. you can cut the floor into sections for easier removal. Once the floor is up you can see how much damage is done. You may have pour foam that needs to be replaced. Also you can drill a small hole just thru the fiberglass over the stringer and then try poking the stringer with something like an ice pick to see if the wood is soft. If it feels real soft you may want to replace them also.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Instructions on Removing rotten flooring???

Yup, the angle grinder's a good one... Add a sawsall or maybe a jigsaw for cutting the floor into small pieces and I think you got it...<br /><br />The best blades for cutting fiberglass with a sawsall or jigsaw are "Bi-metal" blades... Fiberglass will just eat up a wood cutting blade in a few seconds...<br /><br />A couple of good books are "Runabout Renovation" and "The Fiberglass boat repair manual"...<br /><br />Good luck...

 

[evin300]

Re: Instructions on Removing rotten flooring???

Sounds like chainsaw time to me.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Instructions on Removing rotten flooring???

I used a circular saw to get the majority out (set the blade carefully, or you could go through the bottom), and used a 4" angle grinder with metal cuttoff wheel to get the close-in stuff. Be very carefull, those metal cuttoff discs go through fiberglass with no resistance, you could go right through the bottom and not realize it.

 

[BryanF]

Re: Instructions on Removing rotten flooring???

Thanks Guys...<br />I started today tearing out the floor... Have about 1/3 of the "easy" deck up. <br />My main concern now is if there is rot to the transom or stringers... more so transom, concidering the amount of water laying in the bottom. I mean a "soft spot" will eventually spread like cancer... right? or is there a way to "dry it out" and keep it at a certain point. Kinda like Rust-Stop for cars?<br />How would you go about inspecting the transom? <br />I wasn't planning on gutting the inside of the cabin area...But if the Whole transom has to be replaced..???<br /><br />Hope thats not too many questions at once <br /><br />Thanks,<br />Bryan

 

[Walleye King]

Re: Instructions on Removing rotten flooring???

Get the runabout renovation book!!<br /><br />Really if the wood is soft on the transom you will know real fastwhen you stick it with an awl or screw driver, start at the bottom and closr towards the bilge area and check.<br /><br />As far as cutting the deck, watch for your fuel lines and tank too!! I used a circular saw set at about 5/8" deep, sawsall, hammer and chisels around the edges. transom cut out with the sawsall and have an almost perfect template! <br /><br />Just go slow with patience and all will go well!<br /><br />Good Luck!

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: Instructions on Removing rotten flooring???

"Runabout Renovation" by Jim Anderson gives you the whole scoop on what to get and where to get it, then how to use what ya got ... great book, I dont know if iboats has it, but I got mine from Amazon.com, I have an account with them and I wanted it NOW, lol, I get that way sometimes<br /><br />I think it was 12 bucks, Ive gotten that much enjoyment just today from it (just got it a few hours ago, amazon took a week to get the goods here, but waived postage for the foul up)<br />I was pretty apprehensive about fiberglassing, now its like, ok, its a hassle but easy, cool<br /><br />and he tells you his mistakes<br /><br />so YOU dont make them!<br /><br />Good Luck

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: Instructions on Removing rotten flooring???

5/8 deep, sounds like walleye got the book too, lol

 

[sirdick]

Re: Instructions on Removing rotten flooring???

I just bought an old 1968 fiberglass V-hull which I have to replace the floor. Just as a thought, I am going to cut the floor out with my Dremil. It has many different cutting blades to cut just about anything, and is easy to work with. Has anyone tried using a Dremil before?

 

[Walleye King]

Re: Instructions on Removing rotten flooring???

Not enough power, you will be cutting for days, Good Luck!

 

[BryanF]

Re: Instructions on Removing rotten flooring???

Thanks guys for the tips!<br />I've ordered the "Runabout Renovation", "Fiberglass boat repair manual" and a Mercruiser repair manual for some "Night reading" from the mall here.<br /><br />I have started to remove the floor... It is only really "soft" in the intial areas I found before removal... no new areas uncovered.. Stringers look to be solid upon inspection... need to pump out 2" of water around transom tonight to see if transom is still solid near the bilge.<br /><br />I've been using a right angle grinder w/ a metal cutoff blade to get through the glass... and it gets HOT!... would not try it with the dremel or you better have SEVERAL of them on hand <br /><br />Bryan

 

[sirdick]

Re: Instructions on Removing rotten flooring???

Thanks for info.I thought that the dremel would work around the weak areas. Will try it and let you know.

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: Instructions on Removing rotten flooring???

the cutoff wheel / grinder is the way to go, I remember someone, I think Jason, saying the home depot has a grinding wheel thats 10 bucks with a warranty YEARS long ... lol, poor suckers, Im going to go get one, should be interesting to see how many worn out discs I can bring back<br /><br />Ive also given thought to the RotoZip, anyone try that little beastie?

 

[dinsdale]

Re: Instructions on Removing rotten flooring???

To "Dry Up" soft wood use S1 Sealing epoxy or CEPES Sealing epoxy. These have consistency of water. Sand down to bare wood.You Saturate the wood and after it cures, it has displaced all water and "regenerated" the wood. You then cover with 3 coats of gluing epoxy like West System epoxies. Then paint. <br />Finish product is slightly stronger than wood.<br /><br />What you are doing is taking a wooden item and turning it into a wooden cored Epoxy item. <br /><br />I did this with my "punky" ribs until I replace them one by one by scarfing in new ones.<br /><br />Worked wonders. <br />I used S1 as it is available in Canada.<br />CEPES is in the US. <br />Check out www.rotdoctor.com<br /><br />Good luck

 

[imand344]

Re: Instructions on Removing rotten flooring???

If at al possible pull the whole transom and replace it chances are if the stringers are bad the transom is - when putting new stringers in, pour in the mixed resin then cover them in the mesh - it will make all the difference in the world