should I do the floor myself?

[petersfield]

MY quetion is Should I replace the floor myself or get someone to do it for me! I have a shop I can use that is heated and I don't mind a challange and I would also love to post pic's. But I have never done anything like this and I want to make sure it is done right and since I am installing a jack plate I thought I might beef the back end up?

I can get a friend who has a shop to do it and he said It would be about $850 canadian depending if it needs stringers. with two kids, one being a newborn time is not always their!
watching some of the treads it looks like alot of work? I think I may be crazy doing it on my own is fibreglassing really hard? thanks

[175checkmate]

Hard to say really. If the 850 includes material and labor and time is short for you then I would have it done. The job is not really that bad if you have the tools to cut wood and sand. You will have about 250-350 in material and a bunch of labor, fiberglass dust everywhere and the satisfaction of doing it your self. There are enough people on this board that can help with advice if you decide to do it our self. All we need are pictures of the progress and we can guide the next step.

[illMATTic]

i didnt think it was too hard of a job. i cant remember what i had into it. i just dont like paying someone for something i can do.

if yo break it up over the winter and purchase items as you go; it wont be so bad.

[petersfield]

thanks guy's for getting back to me I am not so much concerned with the cost as I am about what to do? my fear is I stripe it apart and find more damage and have to do so serious rebuilding with no knowledge on how to do it. And I can only have the shop for 1-2 weeks so I cant drag it on! My uncle said he would help me so I am sure I can get it done! I also have to figure out how to foam I am sure it is waterlogged!

[Mark]

Shawn
$850 is not bad if.....he does it right! Most of these guys just slap down a sheet of plywood. It needs to be done right or not at all. Fiberglassed top and bottom. The foam will dry out in a couple of months once its out and you can reuse it or go without foam. The other thing I would do is get rid of the ski locker. It's nice having a solid floor. if you do it yourself you need a few inexpensive tools. I have a step by step book on replacing a floor. Next time you are in the city give me a heads up first and I'll loan it to you.

[Boston Predictor]

Ive been pondering the same question for a while now about my Predictor. Ive decided to do it myself. I think Im gonna do it Illmattic style, do the floor over the winter and the paint during the spring. Wish me luck guys This is gonna be fun:surf:

[JUPITER PULSARE]

It depends upon your comfort level. The work is labor intensive, itchy, dusty, etc. Working with Fibreglass and resin is also not that easy. If you know of someone in the boat construction business (who is familiar working with the materials) that can do it on the side I would pay to have it done where you can participate in the work and help make decisions. Laying stringers correctly and making sure the floor rests on the stringers and getting everything level can be a challenge. This way it will come out right and you get the satisfaction of knowing you were involved. Check our my Pulsare Under Constuction threads. I'll be happy to answer any questions. Steve

[petersfield]

Mark ,I know now I am going to do it myself! I am going to be set up at my uncle's shop which is by Rond'ds marine on dugald! I will PM you I would love to look at that book so I can get a shoping list ready and figure out where to buy materials from! I got my aqua-buff on order, Jack plate so In a month or so I will be starting! like to get alittle more boating in! and to the other guy's thanks for the response! I will have to figure out how to post pic's so I can show the overhaul! thanks

[wickedrister]

Good for you Pete! It's not going to be as bad as you think. But look out, you may even enjoy it. I bet you will do a fine job and you will get a bunch of satisfaction from doing the job your self. Warning! when cutting, sanding or grinding the fiberglass cover your self up good. I think the itching from the glass dut is the one and only thing I didn't like about the job. Good luck and keep us posted on how it is going, post pics as you go!

[ontopcop]

Pete,

I was glad to read that you are going to do the floor yourself. I just finished reglassing the front pedestals on my '78 Predictor, and after getting curious, I started pulling up the rotting floor behind the front seats. I thought I had just started something that I didnt want to get into. But after really assesing the situation, and after a few Rum & Dr. Peppers, I jumped on this site and found all of the right answers. Illmatic ( I believe ) I spelled that right has some great pics of the floor in his Predictor and he did one hell of a job. I have a post recently regarding the floor and the guys sent me some valuable info. Check it all out. and good luck. Keep us informed.

Lannyb