Soft Deck Repair Purchase a can of non expanding aersol foam insulation (Home Depot). Drill (1/8" or so) holes in the deck or up from the bottom, depending on what you can get at.
How do you repair a soft spot in a fiberglass deck?
Repairing a soft spot in a fiberglass deck is both a monstrous dance with reciprocating saws and grinders that cut into your boat, and a precise ballet of blending chemicals, cutting materials, and applying them to the wound to produce a finished product barely distinguishable from the original.
Do you have soft spots on Your Boat Deck?
When you notice a small soft spot in the deck of your boat, it's often easy to ignore it, thinking the problem is one of limited scope. The problem, though, is that soft spots indicate an underlying problem that, if ignored, will spread.
How do you repair a delaminated deck?
This particular boat had a cored deck which was completely delaminated and full of moisture. There are several ways to go about repairing a cored deck. One of the most common methods is to perform the repair from the outside, peeling back layers of fiberglass and replacing the core material. Then re-glassing and spraying new gelcoat and non-skid.
How do you cut the inside of a boat deck?
Use the saw to cut the soft spot and weak areas out of your boat's life. Apply a dewaxing agent such as acetone to the inside surface around the area you cut out. The limits should extend outward from the hole, 12 inches for each inch of deck thickness.
How to cut soft spots on a boat?
What does it mean when you notice a soft spot on your boat?
How to harden fiberglass gel coat?
How to fill a hole in a boat?
How to color match gel coat to boat?
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How do you fix a soft deck on a sailboat?
3:5512:41MAS Epoxies Fixing Soft Deck Part 1&2 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipInto any structure on the boat a deck is a structural repair I like to use epoxy resin versusMoreInto any structure on the boat a deck is a structural repair I like to use epoxy resin versus polyester resin you're going to get a much stronger repair.
Can a soft spot on a boat be fixed?
0:188:54How To Fix A Rotten Soft Spot In Your Boat's Floor - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOver a number of years it begins to rot a spot on the floor. This is very easy to fix. So let's getMoreOver a number of years it begins to rot a spot on the floor. This is very easy to fix. So let's get started sometimes in your boat you'll get a soft spot. Like where you put your foot. And all sudden.
What does a soft spot on boat deck mean?
Posts: 276. Hi Jeff, Normally, a soft spot is caused when the foam beneath the fiberglass deck gets compressed. The fiberglass usually pops back into place but the foam remains compressed. Soft spots can be caused several ways. The most common is body weight being bounced up & down in the same spot.
How do I strengthen my boat floor?
8:3523:35How to: Repair Fibreglass Boat Floor - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPut our epoxy fill down with blue and fill it in filler feels. So nice thick creamy peanut butterMorePut our epoxy fill down with blue and fill it in filler feels. So nice thick creamy peanut butter with we're blaster or we put a coat of resin on them to the side of our ply.
How do you fix a soft deck on a boat?
0:0014:42Repairing Spongy Boat Deck - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRight here take this deck off get all the rotten wood out replace the wood fiberglass in there we'veMoreRight here take this deck off get all the rotten wood out replace the wood fiberglass in there we've got to clean the fiberglass.
How many layers of fiberglass do I need for a boat deck?
To build up 1/4" of biaxial fiberglass cloth, you would need approximately 8 layers.
Can glue injection fix rotten core?
Not perfect, but it may work for just a few holes. It is easy. If the core was plywood or balsa, there is still some rot in progress and you'll be back in a few years. If the core was foam and the damaged area is small, maybe you're done.Jun 25, 2020Can Glue Injection Fix Rotten Core? - Practical Sailorhttps://www.practical-sailor.com › boat-maintenance › can...https://www.practical-sailor.com › boat-maintenance › can...Search for: Can glue injection fix rotten core?
What causes soft spots in boats?
Soft spots on the deck are a sign of rotted and delaminated core materials. Although these sometimes can be repaired, more times than not soft deck sections are an indicator of what is below the deck: a wet or rotted stringer system. Another area of potential concern is the boat's systems.Apr 30, 2012The smart buyer: Trouble spots to check with older boatshttps://www.soundingsonline.com › features › the-smart-b...https://www.soundingsonline.com › features › the-smart-b...Search for: What causes soft spots in boats?
How do you fix soft spots on the floor?
2:414:56Soft Spot in Sub floor Simple Easy Repair Do it Your Self and SaveYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo once again so i got my little cross piece here i had that little seam between the two layers ofMoreSo once again so i got my little cross piece here i had that little seam between the two layers of plywood. I took a drill and i pre-drilled me a hole kind of going up like an angle like.Soft Spot in Sub floor Simple Easy Repair Do it Your Self and Savehttps://www.youtube.com › watchhttps://www.youtube.com › watchSearch for: How do you fix soft spots on the floor?
How do you fix a soft spot on a boat hull?
Use the resin-based putty to fill in the depression or hole, working the putty into the depths of the damaged area carefully with the small-blade putty knife; use the large-blade putty knife to fill in the rest of the damage.
How do you repair a rotted boat floor?
2:138:28Cheap fix for a rotten boat floor (Part 1 of 2) Installing new plywoodYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd this plywood is all three quarter-inch pressure-treated. It's the boat the floor was reallyMoreAnd this plywood is all three quarter-inch pressure-treated. It's the boat the floor was really quite good it was just soft in one spot. The size of maybe twice the size of a cigarette package.
Can glue injection fix rotten core?
Not perfect, but it may work for just a few holes. It is easy. If the core was plywood or balsa, there is still some rot in progress and you'll be back in a few years. If the core was foam and the damaged area is small, maybe you're done.
How do you check a soft spot on a boat?
Look around all deck penetrations, hatches, wells, center console,inspection plates, tank cover plate etc. Take small steps and put all your weight on on foot at a time. If you find one, keep probing around untill you get an idea as to size. Also check transom for rot on these older models.
Soft spots on deck, but no core. Solid fiberglass how to fix
Hi everyone, I’m hoping some of you may be able to help me (first time boat owner and I picked one that needs a lot of help, learning lots!) I have a 1969 gulf islander sail boat 29 feet full keel. She has good bones and was sailed single handed to Hawaii in 2000! The previous owner passed and...
Soft Floor - Easy Fix? or too much trouble. - iboats.com
First time post: Be gentle. 1 year away from possible new or nearly new boat. Currently I have an old 22' center console bay boat with a fiberglass over plywood floor that is cracking and has soft spots. This boat doesn't have much if any value. But it does have a good hull and runs great. Boat...
New Product To Save Soft Decks | Boat Design Net
There is a new product out that works really well in repairing wood core fiberglass. Its a structural expansion foam that likes moisture and envelops wood pulp, air, muck.
Fibreglass deck getting soft | YBW Forum
Gidday I have a 8m GRP boat and built in 1980 and the fiberglass deck is getting soft and tends to flex when you walk on it. Ply has been bolted to the deck in some places to reinforce it.
How to cut soft spots on a boat?
When you've located all the weak areas and soft spots, use a drill and a 1-inch hole saw to make a hole into which you can insert the tip of a reciprocating saw. Use the saw to cut the soft spot and weak areas out of your boat's life.
What does it mean when you notice a soft spot on your boat?
The problem, though, is that soft spots indicate an underlying problem that, if ignored, will spread.
How to harden fiberglass gel coat?
As you wait for the gel coat to harden, mix the epoxy resin and hardener for the fiberglass. When it starts to harden, begin laying up the fiberglass and epoxy resin, three layers at a time, until the repair is complete, pressing the fiberglass into the epoxy resin with a small paint roller or a squeegee. Advertisement.
How to fill a hole in a boat?
Pre-cut the fiberglass matting and cloth you'll use to fill the hole, using scissors. Don Casey, one of the boating experts for the Boat Owners Association of the United States, recommends beginning with "two layers of 1 1/2-ounce mat," then alternating the mat with 6-ounce fiberglass cloth. You'll need one layer of fiberglass for each 1/32-inch ...
How to color match gel coat to boat?
Step 5. Color match the gel coat to your boat, mix the hard ener into the gel coat resin -- too little hardener is better than too much; if you err in the mix, err on the side of caution. Working from beneath the hole, inside the boat, use a paint brush to spread a layer of gel coat that's about the thi ckness of a toothpick onto ...
How many pieces of replacement core for a deck?
Using the laminate skin as a template, Dave built the replacement core in three pieces—two triangular side pieces and a trapezoidal middle section —for ease of handling and to help the core conform to any curve in the deck. Because the replacement core was thicker than the space between laminates, he marked off the distance of the overhanging lip of fiberglass and used a router to remove the extra thickness around the side edge of each board.
How did Dave break down the fiberglass core?
With the laminate and the wood removed, Dave next attacked the remaining core between the lip of interior fiberglass and the deck. To remove the rot he broke it into smaller pieces with a chisel and then used his deck caulking reeving tools (which resemble bent screwdrivers) to clean out these scraps of rotten wood. Once the area to be repaired was completely clear, it was time to build the replacement core.
Does laminate decking rot?
With proper treatment, deck laminate penetration will not lead to rot, and you’ll never have to worry about replacing the deck core. Connie McBride and her husband, Dave, sailed away in 2002 on their 34ft Creekmore, Eurisko.
Can you put epoxy in a hole in a plywood deck?
Similarly, if you make a large hole, such as for a hawsepipe, in a plywood deck, coat the exposed wood with epoxy. For a cored deck, scrape out a ring of core from between the two laminates and fill this area with thickened epoxy. With proper treatment, deck laminate penetration will not lead to rot, and you’ll never have to worry about replacing ...
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Is the structural repair complete?
The structural repair is complete! Now we add these awesome rift-sawn panels with teak trim to make it all pretty again !
Can you core damage around deck hardware?
2) If you core damage around the deck hardware, you should fix this before you re-bed the hardware. Again, not uncommon (I have this issue around one of my stanchions). And again I would recommend you look at Maine Sail's site and search the forums for details on how to do this. It is called "potting".
Is core repair rocket science?
Doing a core repair like what you describe isn't rocket science and doesn't require a whole lot in the way of esoteric tools or knowledge.
Does epoxy dry out balsa wood?
This, like most other "quick-fix" methods generally results in a pretty lousy repair. Epoxy does not adhere to wet core materials as a general rule and this type of repair doesn't really dry the core out. In most cases, the water has taken months to penetrate the balsa core, and unless the core has disintegrated almost completely, it will take a long time for it to yield up the water it has taken so long to absorb.
Can you replace a laminate core with epoxy?
Letting the epoxy saturate the area in this method will make replacing the core material when you do a proper repair job much more difficult. If you're going to fix this, please do it the right way and remove one side of the laminate, clear out the wet core material and then replace it and then glass in a new skin to replace what you removed.
Can epoxy be used to fix a rotted deck?
If your deck core isn't rotted away or wet, but just delaminated from the fiberglass skin- then just filling with epoxy will be a permanent fix, without any glassing.
Can you use acetone on balsa deck?
PLEASE keep in mind that acetone can SOFTEN and can potentially DESTROY any bonding you have left between the balsa and the glass skins. I have seen the results of both drill & fill and vacuum dried/filled decks. I can assure you it is a band-aid at best. If the boat was hand laid the resin usually just rides the kerfs but the acetone has already softened the bond so you really get...well .. a high tech solution that really solves little... You can almost always excavate and do it right in less time. You still have to fix all your drill holes anyway so paint or gelcoat are going to happen either way. I often wonder if any of these yards charging an arm & leg for these "solutions" ever have a cut away section of deck they can show a customer? I know why they don't...
soft area starboard fore deck
Soft Foredeck Does anyone know if there is wood or foam in between the glass in the fore deck construction over the v berth ? foam ? balsam? I also have a small soft fore deck area on the starboard side of my O'day 25. Was planning on drilling a series of holes and...
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vitamansea Junior Member
There is a new product out that works really well in repairing wood core fiberglass. Its a structural expansion foam that likes moisture and envelops wood pulp, air, muck. Its amazing stuff www.injectadeck.com is where I got it.
gonzo Senior Member
It is a bad patch job. Foam cores are structural. That material will just fill the voids between rotted core and marginally adhere to the laminates. It is not a proper structural repair.
waikikin Senior Member
sounds too good to be true.... I looked over the site and never saw a piece of rotted timber cored deck that had been repaired with the substance and opened to see how well it makes its way in and around the mush inside.
gonzo Senior Member
Dry rot is not because the wood is dry. It is one of those sales pitches that disregard all existing technical knowledge.
gonzo Senior Member
I like how they misrepresent "dry rot" as being overly dry wood. They recommend spraying water into it
waikikin Senior Member
Here we go, yet another review by unqualified hack. To review a product you have to buy and test the product otherwise you're just another troll.
vitamansea Junior Member
The underside of the fiberglass floor skin is not smooth and finished like the topside, it has the impression of the wood (teeth) it was laid on. (now peeled away) I've been waiting for delam, but nothing so far.
How to cut soft spots on a boat?
When you've located all the weak areas and soft spots, use a drill and a 1-inch hole saw to make a hole into which you can insert the tip of a reciprocating saw. Use the saw to cut the soft spot and weak areas out of your boat's life.
What does it mean when you notice a soft spot on your boat?
The problem, though, is that soft spots indicate an underlying problem that, if ignored, will spread.
How to harden fiberglass gel coat?
As you wait for the gel coat to harden, mix the epoxy resin and hardener for the fiberglass. When it starts to harden, begin laying up the fiberglass and epoxy resin, three layers at a time, until the repair is complete, pressing the fiberglass into the epoxy resin with a small paint roller or a squeegee. Advertisement.
How to fill a hole in a boat?
Pre-cut the fiberglass matting and cloth you'll use to fill the hole, using scissors. Don Casey, one of the boating experts for the Boat Owners Association of the United States, recommends beginning with "two layers of 1 1/2-ounce mat," then alternating the mat with 6-ounce fiberglass cloth. You'll need one layer of fiberglass for each 1/32-inch ...
How to color match gel coat to boat?
Step 5. Color match the gel coat to your boat, mix the hard ener into the gel coat resin -- too little hardener is better than too much; if you err in the mix, err on the side of caution. Working from beneath the hole, inside the boat, use a paint brush to spread a layer of gel coat that's about the thi ckness of a toothpick onto ...
