Rotted floor. Can I pull it out without future damage to the hull?

[Darren Nemeth]

The floor is almost completely gone in my boat.

It is still too cold outside to do fiberglassing but I'd like to get a head start by taking out what is left of the soaked floatation foam and rotted plywood.

All this would be done with the deck still on the hull because I can get most of the floor out by hand. No grinding tool yet. I plan to wait for later to grind it all 100% out.

However, my question is this. Will the boat loose shape or be damaged with the floor out but stringers still in place? It would be left without the floor for up to several weeks until it is warm enough to start glassing.

If it will hurt the boat, I can wait for warmer weather.

 

[zach103]

Re: Rotted floor. Can I pull it out without future damage to the hull?

I'm doing the same thing right now.. the guy who showed me what to do has worked on plenty of these projects... mines still on the trailer and he told me that i dont have to worry as long as i keep all the braces that connect to the stringers intact. or temp replace them which i had to do for a couple spots... i think youll be fine.. but wait for some more experienced guys in here to tell you what they think

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Rotted floor. Can I pull it out without future damage to the hull?

If the hull is supported properly, you can completely gut it without any problems. If it's not, removing any supporting members may let it deform.

Let's see some pics, we can give you some suggestions on supporting it properly.

FYI, the trailer may not be good enough if it's not a bunk trailer.

Erik

 

[Darren Nemeth]

Re: Rotted floor. Can I pull it out without future damage to the hull?

If the hull is supported properly, you can completely gut it without any problems. If it's not, removing any supporting members may let it deform.

Let's see some pics, we can give you some suggestions on supporting it properly.

FYI, the trailer may not be good enough if it's not a bunk trailer.

Erik

Its a tri hull.

The boat is supported by one rollers in the middle. The rear is supported by carpeted runners and a roller.

If the weather is good this afternoon I am going to put the boat in the water for the first time to fix the trailer (the rollers are bad). Will take more photos of the trailer and pot them.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Rotted floor. Can I pull it out without future damage to the hull?

So it's a bunk trailer with a keel roller. That's a maybe.

To be safe, block the boat up off the trailer with jack stands and a block under the keel. Tashasdaddy has a nice description somewhere of how to get the boat off the trailer with a minimum of fuss. You don't actually need to launch it to work on the trailer.

 

[oops!]

Re: Rotted floor. Can I pull it out without future damage to the hull?

yup...you an remove the deck...

but what erik says is true.....so dont pull the stringers till its supported.

 

[Darren Nemeth]

Re: Rotted floor. Can I pull it out without future damage to the hull?

I am about to put the boat in the water. Fixing the trailer will give me something to do today.

I'll look up the supports thing. Sounds like they best way to go.

Thanks for the help.

I took the tarp off it for the first time. Looks good! I can't wait to get started.

 

[JB]

Re: Rotted floor. Can I pull it out without future damage to the hull?

Rip it out!

A floor has no business being in a boat anyway. Replace it with a deck.

Be sure that the stringers are not also rotted before you do the deck.

These floor/deck/stringer rot threads remind me how smart (or lucky) I have been to stick with Boston Whalers.