Ski Locker Soft Spot

[Boilers2000]

While cleaning my 1992 Searay 200 I noticed a soft spot in the ski locker. Tried compressing all the water out but no matter what water keep condensing in the wood. Want to get repaired but I am unsure how much clearance there is if any between the wood that makes up the floor and the fiberglass hull. Any advice of insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[Woodonglass]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but...If the ski locker is in this condition, I'm sure that you have a LOT more issues under the entire deck. I'm pretty sure your boat is in line for a full restoration. Most boats of this vintage require a rebuild after this time frame UNLESS they have been meticulously cared for. The state of your ski locker tells me your boat has NOT received this kind of care.

 

[AShipShow]

Yup... boats rot from the bottom up... so if you have soft spots on the deck, then you can be sure whats underneath is most likely gone. I would suggest you start reading the 2nd link in woodonglass's signature and evaluate if this is a project for you!

Good luck, hope you decide to give it a 2nd life! We are all here to offer what advice we can.

 

[chevymaher]

You are where I was when I bought my tickets to this horse and Pony Show.

CrazyFinn said check I did and spent the rest of last summer tearing it all out.

It all started when I found the soft skii locker tho. Before that I thought it was a good boat. Solid that is. I never thought anything else but it was a good boat.

I saw what it would be and not what it was. Curse of the hot rodder carried over to my boat.

 

[Boilers2000]

Well disheartening to hear. Probably need some bourbon now.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Sorry, but many of us have been in your shoes. I know the sinking feeling myself.

If you decide to fix it - which truthfully is a lot of work and a bit of expense - you are at the right place. We can help guide you. It helps if you're reasonably handy with tools, of course...

If you're inclined to consider restoring it, post some pics so we can see what you're facing.

 

[Boilers2000]

I'm trying to figure out exactly what I'm dealing with...first I want to figure out how much space is below if ski locker floor. Would like to drill a hole to get an idea of what I'm dealing with. Any ideas how much clearance between the bottom of the locker and hull?

 

[CaptNewbie]

I'm in the same boat as you boiler2000, pun intended. Mines a bit worse off than yours but if you decide to tear into her we can be resto buddies lol. I'm getting ready to start demo in a few weeks hopefully. This is definitely the forum to be on. I'd suggest reading what mad props suggested as well as both woodonglass's restoration threads as well as archbuilders and chevymahers. It seems overwhelming but after reading their threads and seeing how much help and support everyone here is to each other it's convinced me its not as bad as first thought.

 

[CaptNewbie]

I don't know much, but from seeing other people's decks removed I'd have to say there isn't but a few inches between the bottom of the ski locker and the hull. And there should be a bunch of waterlogged foam in the gap.

 

[Scott Danforth]

look at the stickies.... rhttps://forums.iboats.com/forum/boat-repair-and-restoration/boat-restoration-building-and-hull-repair/295740-how-to-s-and-other-great-information

read link 14....

you have a hull restoration ahead of you.

 

[Woodonglass]

Use a multi tool to cut thru the bottom. Be Aware there may NOT be a bottom at all It could be the Hull itself. I've seen a lot of ski lockers built that way. IF you cut or drill thru the hull. ITS NO BIG DEAL and a real easy fix.

 

[Boilers2000]

If the extent is that bad I will just cut my losses and probably have the shortest tenure of boat ownership in recent history. Hopefully recoup some of my investment through a charitable donation of some sort.

 

[JASinIL2006]

The floor of my locker is the hull.

Are there supports for the floor (called stringers) that form the sides of the locker? You could test those down near the bottom with less chance of drilling through your hull.

 

[Boilers2000]

Hesitant to drill into strings. I think I'm going to dremel the fiberglass off and then start picking out wood until I get to good wood.

 

[Boilers2000]

Ski locker is now gone and all the crappy foam that was below it. Fortunatley foam stopped at the console and I reached dry wood. Will still remove some of that wood to get it all. Nerve racking taking an angle grinder to the locker bottom knowing there was minimal clearance until the fiberglass hull. Will take it to a fiberglass shop to rebuild and glass the locker. Will not be replacing carpet. On to the next issue on my checklist to figure out.