Need help fixing some rot issues

[jec1521]

Hey all,

New member here. I have an old 1989 Wellcraft Scarab that has been in my family and passed down. My grandfather bought it new in 1988, then my father had it, and now long story short it is mine and has some sentimental value to me.

Anyway, There are 2 rot issues I need to address. First, there is a removable floor panel over the fuel tank that has gotten soft in a spot. It looks like moisture intruded through a gouge that was in the floor and over the years it rotted. Like I said, it is removable and it looks like the cause is from the top, not the bottom but I am no professional. See picture attached. I was thinking of covering it for the winter and then in the spring taking the whole panel out and having new plywood cut and glassed over.

Second, all the way at the end of the bow of the boat in the cabin, there is some rot/delamination right under the tow hook. It looks like water got through the tow hook over the years and rotted the tip of the stringer. How do you suggest I fix this? Should I have it addressed ASAP or is this something that can be addressed in the spring? I have checked the rest of the stringer system under the cushion in the cabin and everything seems solid (for a 30 year old boat, anyway.)

Any advice on the best way to address these issues would be appreciated.

 

[alldodge]

Without further insight, my guess is this will be a full gut and rebuild. The deck getting soft may also lead to other areas. The bow eye is easy enough, cut wood to fit and glass in. The issue, if that rotted then other areas are suspect.

When time permits, start cutting into the wood and keep going until it gets dry

Would be a good idea to use a 1/4 drill bit and drill into the transom down low about a 1/2 and see if any of it is wet/damp

 

[jec1521]

The soft spot of the floor is only on a removable panel that covers the fuel tank. You can see it in the picture. It is completely removable and separate from rest of floor. I also checked the access panels around the floor and did not find anything other than what was found on the floor panel. i was hoping this meant it would only be that one panel that would have to be rebuilt. Hope so.

 

[Scott Danforth]

The floor is the last thing to ever rot

A 32 year old boat is about 15 years past its design life and over 10 years past its service life

Go to the DIY stickies, read links 14, 15, 18, 2, 3, 4a, and 4b

You have a full gut n restore ahead of you, and we will help you along the way

 

[JASinIL2006]

I'd be checking any wood structure you can get access to: stringers (along side of ski lockers, under gas tank hatch, etc.), transom, and so on. If the rot is pervasive, you have a big job ahead of you. If you're lucky, the bad spots will be limited to those you found so far.

So many boats that have 'only a small soft spot in the floor' often turn out to have significant rot problems (especially in boats as old as yours) that the default assumption here is that you've got a gut-and-rebuild ahead of you. The only way to tell, though, is to do some exploratory hole-drilling and inspection. Drill test holes from the inside, using a 1/4" bit and go deep enough to penetrate most of the wood without going through the outside of the hull. If the shavings from all your holes come out dry and light, you're OK. If the shavings are dark and/or wet, you have problems. If the wood is OK, fill the holes with a marine sealant (e.g., 3M 5200) and you're good. If the wood is not dry, we can help you figure out how to repair your boat.

Post some pics of what you find and we can help.