repairing or replacing fibreglass floor

[aprils fool]

hey all,
can anyone please guide me through the process of replacing the floor of my fishing boat?

[Landlubber]

What sort of boat is it April......hard to say what to do , sort of asking someone how long is a stick.

Tell us a bit more and we should be able to help.

[aprils fool]

hey Landlubber,
firstly, thanks for taking interest in my endeavour. The boat is a 4.2mt. sportcraft statesman half-cab. which has two cracks about 12cm in from the hull. I've picked up a couple of books from the library but the mainly talk about the fiberglassing process rather than the actual removal or istallation of the floor, and whether to remove the storage boxes. My first concern is how close to the hull to cut, and how deep to set the saw?
looking forward to hearing from you.
Aprils fool

[Lt. Holden]

You might try searching in " Boatbuilding/Fiberglass and Composite in this forum, this subject has been discussed many times in detail (some with helpful photos). Post some detailed photos with specific caption questions and you will get more meaningful reponses. Good luck with your project.

[aprils fool]

hi Lt. Holden,
thanx for the advice i will do so as soon as i start.
thanx.
Aprils fool

[aprils fool]

hello Lt.Holden,
in my search for help in my endeavour to repair the floor of my boat I came accross a GENTLEMAN who not only stocks all the materials required for the repair, but is also willing to give step by step instructions on the project.
I have also considered the idea of video taping the process to help someone else who may want to tackle the same project. what do you think?

[Landlubber]

Well, filming the job may be of some assistance to others, certainly could not hurt, unless the process is flawed anyhow.

From what you have said, it looks like you are replacing the sole on a half cab runabout, a very common problem. Just as a matter of interest, if the sole is buggered, best take a serious look at the transom as well. Usually find it is too.

Let me know if you run into any things that concern you as you progress under the guidance of your gentleman....sure he is a boat builder, most of us are simply arseholes.......

[Jason555]

I have only been a boat owner for a year. I bought my fathers old boat for the memories and I am willing to put money and work into it but I'm no expert. Their are alot of guys that are willing to help when you have questions. I recommend finding one or two guys you feel comfortable with to rely on.
I bought the boat and sure didn't know what I was getting into. No problem though, I enjoy a challenge. I replaced the floor before I did anything just because I didn't want to go out to the lake start having fun and push to the side the floor problem. I bought a 4" grinder and used a diamond edged blade to cut the old floor out. The wood is easy to cut through but the Fiberglass, not so much. I had to cut out an I shape to go around the center seat in my bayliner. I recommend doing alot of measuring if you cut out an odd shape. Lengths, widths, and diagonals. To help make sure you cut the new plywood to the to the right size. Mine dropped right in even with the odd shape. That was because I had taken so many measurements. Then I filled the big gaps with a fiberglass resin from Bondo that I bought at autozone. This is like fiberglass hairs. I then went over everything with the resin (bought at the same place). It turned out well in my eyes just remember that the stuff sets quickly so work fast and don't mix to much at one time.
I also cut all the way through right at the end of cutting the old stuff out. Now I'm thinking "oh no I can see the ground from inside my boat this can't be good. I used the fiberglass hairs to fill the hole. After I sanded the outside of the boat down. Than I tried to thicken up the inside with the resin. I see no problems with it and the boat didn't leak or sink. Now I just have to figure out how to fix the outside paint.
Just remember I'm a rookie at this stuff. Though, I would run this by a pro and get their opinion but maybe you can understand my approach being as you may be in the same seat I am.
Also, I just pulled my stern drive and motor out 'cause this year I have to replace the very nasty and wet transom. Oh, man... this is going to be a fun project. I hope I'm not in to deep. I read somewhere on here that the stuff you get at Autozone is not as strong as the boat stuff. I think it was great for the floor but I'm trying to get an answer on what type of fiberglass to use. I hear epoxy is the way to go. Replacing the transom is a big deal. It's sink or swim here so I want to make sure I am using the proper stuff. So I'm just trying to find out what epoxy to use and where to get it. I'm no expert so just take my advice as a rookie in your shoes last year. I am happy with my floor project. I just hope my transom replacement is as good. As another guy mentioned you may want to take a look at your transom and decide if the boat is worth both projects. Good Luck!

[PAR]

Bondo is for cars, not boats. It's not worth a damn on a boat. It absorbs moisture (which is what caused the rot in the first place), it doesn't like vibration or repeated impact loads (like bashing through a chop), nor flexing (like bashing through a chop). Yep, the polyester resin you buy at auto stores is crap in a boat. Besides it stinks to high heaven, isn't very strong and is more difficult to work with then epoxy.