Predictor Floor Replacement Questions

[jrs1958]

Hello,
I have a 84 Predictor and I’m replacing the floor from the transom to the dash. And I have a few questions.

1.) There’s some bedding material between the edge of the wood floor and the hull. What is this stuff?
2.) Starting about half way between the seats, there’s a gap of about a ½ inch between the bottom of the center beam and the hull. The gap runs about 4 feet back to the bilge. Should I duplicate this gap or make the new beam section go to the hull?
3.) Can I open up the bilge area to make more room for a pump switch and a larger bilge pump? And can I increase the bilge wall thickness from 3/8” to 3/4”?

Thanks,
JRS1958

1984 Predictor 1968 Mercury 1250 125 HP I-6

[HemiBee]

1) The bedding stuff Checkmate used was Bondo. I just finished re-doing my floor and used Duraglas (fiberglass) filler.

2) Not sure on this one. Sounds like it may be for drainage.

3)Go for it....

[jgreen]

Hemibee: I saw the pics of your floor replacement, beautiful job! http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/thumb.gif

[billm]

I'm going to redo the floor on my 86 enchanter soon.I used a hole saw to check under the floor after my passenger seat pulled out do to rust and rot.All the flotation foam was soaking wet from the center of the boat back to the transom. I found 2-part pourable foam on E-boats.com and Im researching marine plywoods right now.

[jrs1958]

I’m just using ½” BC rated plywood for the floor and ¾” BC rated plywood for the center beam. I got it from Home Depot. You might want to check out this site; it has some information on replacing floors and transoms.

http://capndsboatshed.com/index.html

[billm]

Wow - thats a good site. Im not looking forward to all the hastle of doing the floor but I just keep thinking of how much faster and better the boat will ride.

[HemiBee]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by pulse185:
Hemibee: I saw the pics of your floor replacement, beautiful job! http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/thumb.gif <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Thanks, Pulse 185, it's been alot of work but worth it. Hope to get the motors fired up this weekend.

Hey jrs....how's your project coming?

[jrs1958]

The center beam is in along with the enlarged bilge. The foam is in and the first section of floor, back at the transom is glassed in. I’m currently working on fitting the front section of floor and should have it in by this weekend. Then I’ll start working on the seat bases. I’m going to try to install tube pedestal seat bases; the ones that swivel and have the fore/aft adjustment. I know the captain chair won’t swivel, but the co-pilots chair should do a 180. I’ve also re-enforced the floor where the seat bases will attach to the wood. I’m still working on engineering out the details for the mounts, but if it works I’ll post some pictures. If it doesn’t work I can always grind out the mounts and replace the seat boxes.

1984 Predictor 1968 Mercury 1250SS I-6 125 HP

[MrWick]

I reworked the floor in my 85 Predictor,couldn't get the swivel base figured out so I just made new boxes and glassed them it just like tho originals.That worked out pretty good.I did not run a stringer down the middle of the boat,ran multiple stringers side to side.I also did not replace the floatation foam as mine was soaking wet also.With the foam in there if the boat got wet under the floor it would never ever dry out hence the rotted floor.I had plenty of room for a larger bilge pump in the rear.