Is squeaky floor OK?

[halas]

There is a boat that is in great shape but have squeaky floor in the middle of the boat.
The owner kept it inside an well maintained since 1974 when he bought the 20' Duo Challenger new.
Made by Starcraft, Very deep V closed bow fiberglass boat. Dry Weight just under 2200 LB.
When I walked on the middle of the floor it was squeaking a little as if screws were loose or something like that.

 

[JB]

Re: Is squeaky floor OK?

Well, first of all, Halas, that is a sole, not a floor. The top surface is a deck and the surface you walk on is a sole.

If it is squeaky there is something wrong. A boat's structural rigidity depends on joints and connections not flexing. The looseness could simply be screws that loosened or the screw holes could have gotten wet and rotted away from the screws. Worse, there could be rotted stringers involved.

If you buy the boat assume that there will be structural work to be done. Maybe a lot.

 

[Provo5]

Re: Is squeaky floor OK?

I just repaired the same problem. The resin around the access for the gas tank had broken. The gap was about 1/4" on both sides. I shifted the panel to one side and made a filler then sealed along both sides with new resin.

 

[halas]

Re: Is squeaky floor OK?

Thanks for the advice so far.
I want to add that it is a Lake Erie freshwater boat. never bottom painted always trailered.
The owner said that the sqeak was there for many years.
The two metal gastanks are under the back seats on left and right of the i/o motor.
There is no gas tank under the floor.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Is squeaky floor OK?

It's almost certainly a fastener that has come lose. The question will be is there something solid under there for a new fastner to grab onto.