Rotten hull -- glasstron 156 tri-hull

[camera guy]

I'm NOT a boat restoration guy -- so I may use some incorrect language (like floor instead of hull), but here goes. My father purchased this boat new when we moved from the lake -- with a 70 Evinrude, it proved to be a great boat to bring to the lake with a few people where you could ski and not leave people on shore. When I inherited the boat, it was still in wonderful (like new) condition. We used it a couple of times a year. The 'deck' covering needed replacement and I did that a couple of years ago. About that time, I lifted the boat to connect to the vehicle and I could barely budge it -- I thought there must be water in it but no -- and then I heard sloshing. Checking around, for the first time I realized the 'floation compartment was NOT a sealed unit. Finding the plug, a great deal of water drained out. A year later, my newly covered deck was 'bouncy' -- yep, rotting deck!!

So, I have removed the decking and the flotation styrafoam. HERE is my plan and where I need help (ok to call me an idiot if this is NOT workable)! I have cut the top (horizontal) fiberglass of the "supports - ribbing ??" exposing the rotting 1" wood. My plan is to keep the fiberglass intact and remove the boards and replace them and re-fiberglass the top.

Then I can't decide whether to use the cans of foam or cut pieces of Styrofoam for flotation.

And then how do I make sure water (that I find can come in around the storage area under the front seats) can make it's way to a 'new drain' that I'll have to make?

Finally, when I cut out the deck, I left about 2" of fiberglass around the sides so I can use that to fasten the decking and hopefully stabilize the boat.

OK -- now is any of that workable or will I just have a nice looking craft that will pull apart, leak, and sink???

THANKS -- the rookie (Camera guy)

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Rotten hull -- glasstron 156 tri-hull

Start reading other threads about the same issue, there are many, you'll have a much better understanding of what you need to do, plus many more questions.

 

[camera guy]

Re: Rotten hull -- glasstron 156 tri-hull

I've read many of the posts, but haven't seen any that have done their repair like I am suggesting -- does that mean my idea is bad (keeping the old fibre glass ribbing and inserting new wood {or some composite})? And some suggest not putting in floatation material cuz it just soaks up water.

I have a "like new boat" except for the rot from the deck down -- even the glass that contained the floatation material cleaned up well. So, can I do what I suggested, or will I have concerns over a weakened stern (hope that is the name where the motor attaches)?

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Rotten hull -- glasstron 156 tri-hull

Post some pictures of what you have and you'll get a ton of help.

The boards are called stringers and you should remove the fiberglass that encases them if they're rotten. You should also check your transom for rot.

As far as floatation, you'll be crucified for using canned foam around here!!! Use either the blue polystyrene sheets or the 2 part pourable urethane foam. Floatation is important, and not something you want to ship.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Rotten hull -- glasstron 156 tri-hull

You really must post some pics with discriptions .. look at Woodies thread on how to do it easy ..

Sounds like your into a full resto hull.. ( not good to advise anyone to just pull rotted wood out of stringers and Mud them in and cap them with glass ) .

YD.