need some help

rosser1

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 5, 2009
Messages
360
well bought a boat to go fishing, but looking like no time soon. beacause it floor is in bad shape, fiber glass is weak, and was picking at it and wood under fiberglass is wet and foam is wet and has bugs in it, so i guess i am looking at redoing all of the floor and good ideas or tips, what to do or don'ts and how to approach it were i don't waist time or money and have to redo it later.
 

Smeag

Seaman
Joined
Apr 11, 2009
Messages
64
Re: need some help

well you've come to the right place-- welcome to iboats :)

i would suggest you do the following

1. read read read. there is a ton of info here and i know it can be a pain to go through it all-- it's really your best bet. your in for alot of work and make sure you know what your getting yourself into.

2. go into the completed restore thread and read a few from start to finish.

3. pictures. we like pictures. you'll get more solid advice if the experts here can actually see what your describing.

pretty soon you'll be itching all day from the fiberglass dust, asking yourself where all the money in your wallet has gone, and banging your head against the wall saying "what did i get myself into?" enjoy :p
 

danond

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jun 11, 2007
Messages
1,118
Re: need some help

Your major steps are:

1) Tear up the sole (floor/deck)
2) Measure everything, then write down all the measurements
3) Take pictures of everything, post them to photobucket
4) Tear out the stringers
5) Take out all the foam
6) Assess any other damage
7) Rebuild
8) Rejoice

Tons of people have redone their boats and documented it here. You will be much smarter about the whole ordeal if you spend some time using the forum's search function. There's a wealth of info.
 

rosser1

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 5, 2009
Messages
360
Re: need some help

so as i redo my boat i have seen alot of you pull the top off of your boats, well mine is more like a bass boat, a Hustler to be a little more clear. and I have to redo my floors, the rubber around the side of the boat is that where it is joined together or is mine a one piece or a two piece hull, just wondering if it would make it any easier to work on with only the floor and foam in the way, other than sets and steering wheel and livewell. thanks
 

Smeag

Seaman
Joined
Apr 11, 2009
Messages
64
Re: need some help

for most cases if the floor is as bad as you described, the top will need to come off. you havn't told us what you have for a boat yet so it's very hard to be able to direct you on if yours needs to come off or not. you may get lucky and be able to work on it without getting the cap off. Pictures please :D:D:D
 

Bob_VT

Moderator & Unofficial iBoats Historian
Staff member
Joined
May 19, 2001
Messages
26,069
Re: need some help

My best words of advice are to read through the restoration forum..... be prepared for the worst case and then you can be surprised if something does not need to be done.
 

rosser1

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 5, 2009
Messages
360
Re: need some help

well i expected the worst and got the best i guess.. I had to start tearing out floor out of boat and under what i can trash plywood, thin as paper there was a pool liner and under pool liner was the orginal fiberglass floor, with had a few bad spot int in so i started digging and found more bad wood and wet foam, well when back out tonight and all foam is dry as can be!! so im glad, that saved time and money. I am guessing the rubber pool liner wasn't letting every thing dry out. so all i need to do is fix midium size hole and put down new wood and later some carpet.
 
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