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FLOOR ISSUES

ontopcop

ontopcop

Member
Hello Forum and all,

Any advice regarding re-doing the floor? After redoing the front seat pedestals with many thanks to the help from here, I started to clean up the mess I made and one thing led to another, I started tearing up the rear floor area. It needs replaced anyway. I pulled up a 2' 1/2" x 1' 10" piece of rotted plywood floor that was under the the rear bench seat and gas tank. So now I need to redo the floor. There appeared to be a 2x? running underneath this piece of plywood and some foam. But not alot of foam. And after taking a flashlight and looking under the gas tank everything there is rotted to the point that I dont know what to replace everything with. After tearing up the rest of the carpet there is a similiar piece of plywood that runs in front, around and behind the front seats. Both pieces seemed to just be sitting on the hull as its angles down into the boat. Is this right. That 2x I was refering to apparently supports the center of the plywood floor, but what will the new 2x attach to. Any help will be appreciative.
Do I glass all the new wood?

Thanks
Lanny
 
Hate to tell you but it sounds like your into a major job. looks like you'll need stringers and floor - how is the transom? at least the boating season is almost done. you are in luck though, a lot of guys here have been down this road and done fantastic work. there is a wealth of knowledge here just ask !!!!! to prevent or prolong this from happening again, you'll want to glass and resin everything. West System makes some great epxoies but they are super expensive when compared to polyester resins, but you don't get the odour from epoxy.
 
Chris,

Thanks, Did u say stringer or stringers. she is a 16 foot Predictor, While taking out the rotted wood it only appears that there is one 2x running up the middle of the boat. The hull is solid. She runs strong. Are the stringers the 2x that run front to back, or the ply that appears to run side to side. I appoligize for not knowing the proper lingo. It does look like a job, but one I believe I can do, I just want to make sure I do it right, and there lies the problem, finding out what is right. Thanks for your help. After taking up the little bit of plywood, there isnt much ply down, it seems to meet up with the downward slope of the hull and was just glassed in, does this sound right. Thanks

Lanny
 
Floor and stringer repair

:welcome: You need to look at illmatitc's thread on fixing the floor and stringers on in Perdictor. It's called "The fun of rebuilding a Predictor" Check it out, I think it will be a big help. You may also wat to look at the thread on my Enticer's floor repair. The Enticer shares the same hull as the Predictor. That thread is called "Wickedrister's winter project" This was my first go-round with boat floor repair as well. These threads can be foud over in the Over-hulll section. Good luck with the repairs, you will do just fine.
 
ontopcop said:
Chris,

Thanks, Did u say stringer or stringers. she is a 16 foot Predictor, While taking out the rotted wood it only appears that there is one 2x running up the middle of the boat. The hull is solid. She runs strong. Are the stringers the 2x that run front to back, or the ply that appears to run side to side. I appoligize for not knowing the proper lingo. It does look like a job, but one I believe I can do, I just want to make sure I do it right, and there lies the problem, finding out what is right. Thanks for your help. After taking up the little bit of plywood, there isnt much ply down, it seems to meet up with the downward slope of the hull and was just glassed in, does this sound right. Thanks

Lanny
Click to expand...

as a general rule most boats have two main stringers that run front to back. often they will have plywood supports. i've seen stringers made from dimensional wood as well as laminated plywood, plus a lot of the new space age products that don't rot. i also no of one company that used rolled up newspaper as a stringer then glassed over top. another company used partical board. shockingly enough neither company is in business today.
 
wickedrister said:
:welcome: You need to look at illmatitc's thread on fixing the floor and stringers on in Perdictor. It's called "The fun of rebuilding a Predictor" Check it out, I think it will be a big help. You may also wat to look at the thread on my Enticer's floor repair. The Enticer shares the same hull as the Predictor. That thread is called "Wickedrister's winter project" This was my first go-round with boat floor repair as well. These threads can be foud over in the Over-hulll section. Good luck with the repairs, you will do just fine.
Click to expand...

Hey wicked, all the pics of your floor job are gone. I only see red X
 
I just finished the same job on my predictor i replaced the plywood from the back of the front seat bases to the transom it is3-16" plywood on the floor and the stringer in the midle of the boat is just 3-4" plywood . I had fun with mine good luck!
 
Thanks Everyone

I just wanted to thank everyone that has replied with their advice, comments and suggestions. I believe I will be asble to figure it out. Just like with the seat bases, its just about getting in there and getting it done. I will try to take pics this time. Happy boating.:thumb:
 
Well, I ripped the floor and foar out all the way up to the 'foot rest' under the deck. While pulling out the foam and ply up to this point it appears that the center stringer runs up and beyond the foot rest and into the area under the bow. What is beyond the foot rest? Do I continue on or stop at that point?

I was looking at the hull design and noticed that the hull flattens out at the farthest point on the side of the boat, this is the same point at which the rear seat sits atop. Would it be possible to build the floor from this point? It is still lower than the front pedistals. I was thinking if I built the floor at that level I could accomidate some floor storage/cooler. Anyone?

Thanks,
Lanny
 
Floor and Stringer

Lanny that's the cool part . You can do it any way you want now. Please post some pics and show us what you have in mind. I suggest card board templates are made for all the new parts and test fitting all parts in place before glassing.
 
FLOOR ISSUES CONT'

Ok, The floor is all pulled up to the point of where the footrest is. I have continued to pull foam and wet, rotted wood out from under the floor under the deck area. ( Does this make scense?) anyway, does anyone have any experience in what is the floor area like beyond the foot rest? It appears that the single stringer continues up into the bow area. Is there a point at which this stringer stops? Should I attempt to pull the floor up underneath the bow area? And to take out all of the foam.

Can the boat be ran safely during this process? I would like to take it out and see if there is any leaks in the hull. Does the lack of the deteriated stringer and foam cause any stress issues?
Any help to these questions and advice beyond this point will be appreciative.

Digital camera should be purchased soon, so hopefully some pics will be in the future.

Thanks again...
Lanny
 
Does anyone remember or know the angles that the supports for the stringers what cut at? I didnt do well in math, geometry, or even spelling. The angle is killing me, and I've used all my kids poster board trying to cut them out.
 
Lanny,

I merged your two threads into one.

Keeping everything in one thread will be less confusing for everyone and make for a stronger, better thread. ;)

-Chris
 
Lanny,
DO NOT run your boat without your floor/stringers in the boat!!!!!!!!!!
These act like a spinal cord, without them the pieces of your boat will bend and move in ways it should never move(structural failure WILL occur!!!!!!).

Now for the question on wether to remove the rest of the rotten wood in the bow of the boat? The answer ABSOLUTLEY!!!!

You are at the point where you should be saying to yourself that the boating season is done for this year, and your goal is to have your boat ready for the spring.
While you are at this stage, you should check your transom and core for rot as well. This is the time to do everything proper so that you can use your boat for the next 20 years, and not worry about its structual integrity.
And to help you with the patterning of the stringers/bulkheads/etc. If you use a straight edge to simulate where the floor goes, you can use as many pieces of cardboard as you need to get the shape of the hull. and then mark the cardboard at the straight edge. This will give you your pattern(don't forget to use relief cuts where necassary for your joints. To make sure you eliminate as much stress as possible on the hull, use a plane to angle the wood where it meets the hull, and also bed it in structual putty.
The biggest tips would be, take your time, don't get frustrated, and if you are having trouble, ask someone(someone that knows what they are talking about) for advise BEFORE you go any further!
Best of luck! It will all be worth it in the end!
 
Thanks Chris and aqua.

Structual Putty? Is this the old chewing gum stuff that is left in the bottom of the hull that is hard as a rock? My boat only has the one stringer going up the middle. Should I redo the floor more similiar to the way illMATTic did his with the two stringers, one running on each side of the center.
 
Sructural Putty is known in the autobody business as long-strand filler or sometimes angel hair. Be sure you are buying a structual putty for "marine" use. It is good for going below the waterline, or getting wet a lot(bildge). The automotive fillers are not ment to get wet.
The easiest way to find the right fillers is to check your local marine supply store, or fiberglass supply store. Good Luck!
 
i'd do it in two stringers - i think it makes for a stronger hull. as well as making sure you are using marine putty, epoxy etc. don't forget to use stainless steel fasterners for everything - beleive it or not drywall screws don't stand up in water (don't laugh i've seen it!)
 
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