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Author Topic:   Montauk: Soft Spot in Deck

TommyWhaler posted 01-26-2010 09:19 AM ET (US)
On the deck [of my 1986 Boston Whaler MONTAUK 17 on the] port side near where the gunwale and transom meet (and probably where a battery box was screwed to the deck) is a soft spot. When standing on the ground, boat on trailer and me pushing down on the spot, you can see water come up through the holes. What does that mean? How does one fix the problem? Thanks.
Buckda posted 01-26-2010 11:24 AM ET (US)
This means you have rotted wood substrate under the fiberglass nonskid. The extent of the rot is likely to be radially a bit larger than the apparent soft spot.
The first thing I would do is to get the boat out of the elements and in an area that is above freezing. Next, I'd use a grease pencil and outline the area of concern. Within that area of concern I'd drill a pattern of small holes 1 inch apart until I identified solid/dry core material. In these holes, I'd use a toothpick or very small screwdriver to "insert" cotton cloth strips. The idea is to wick away as much moisture as possible. I'd let the project sit like that for a few weeks. If you're in an area that has strong sunshine and warmth, park it in the sun.
Once your're pretty sure that you have most of the moisture content, then I'd use an epoxy product like "GitRot" - one that has capillary action to spread through the woodgrain. Follow the label directions, but essentially, every one of those holes would be filled with that epoxy as directed to firm up the flooring.
Then plug/repair the holes appropriately with a matching gelcoat.
wstr75 posted 01-26-2010 12:37 PM ET (US)
On the subject of wood rot and treatments, I came across this interesting document:
http://www.boatbuilding.com/article.php/ChemotherapyforRot
Bill in NC
TommyWhaler posted 01-26-2010 07:18 PM ET (US)
Thanks buckda and wstr75. That was an interesting article. That seems like a great way to not only "cure" current rot, but a means to trat any wood before using in a hull.
TommyWhaler posted 01-27-2010 07:17 PM ET (US)
So Buckda, are you saying I wouldn't have to cut out the section of the floor over the saturated spot?>
That would be great.
TommyWhaler posted 01-27-2010 07:19 PM ET (US)
What about the foam?
modenacart posted 02-04-2010 06:11 PM ET (US)
I bought the foam I used from
http://www.shopmaninc.com/foam.html
I used the 4 lb foam. The expansion is approximately 15 to 1.
If there volume of foam is small you might be able to get away with just eyeballing the amount.
There is some discussion on estimating the volume needed here.
http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/017750.html
I would ignore Binkie's ignorant comments.

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Author	Topic: Montauk: Soft Spot in Deck
TommyWhaler	posted 01-26-2010 09:19 AM ET (US) On the deck [of my 1986 Boston Whaler MONTAUK 17 on the] port side near where the gunwale and transom meet (and probably where a battery box was screwed to the deck) is a soft spot. When standing on the ground, boat on trailer and me pushing down on the spot, you can see water come up through the holes. What does that mean? How does one fix the problem? Thanks.
Buckda	posted 01-26-2010 11:24 AM ET (US) This means you have rotted wood substrate under the fiberglass nonskid. The extent of the rot is likely to be radially a bit larger than the apparent soft spot. The first thing I would do is to get the boat out of the elements and in an area that is above freezing. Next, I'd use a grease pencil and outline the area of concern. Within that area of concern I'd drill a pattern of small holes 1 inch apart until I identified solid/dry core material. In these holes, I'd use a toothpick or very small screwdriver to "insert" cotton cloth strips. The idea is to wick away as much moisture as possible. I'd let the project sit like that for a few weeks. If you're in an area that has strong sunshine and warmth, park it in the sun. Once your're pretty sure that you have most of the moisture content, then I'd use an epoxy product like "GitRot" - one that has capillary action to spread through the woodgrain. Follow the label directions, but essentially, every one of those holes would be filled with that epoxy as directed to firm up the flooring. Then plug/repair the holes appropriately with a matching gelcoat.
wstr75	posted 01-26-2010 12:37 PM ET (US) On the subject of wood rot and treatments, I came across this interesting document: http://www.boatbuilding.com/article.php/ChemotherapyforRot Bill in NC
TommyWhaler	posted 01-26-2010 07:18 PM ET (US) Thanks buckda and wstr75. That was an interesting article. That seems like a great way to not only "cure" current rot, but a means to trat any wood before using in a hull.
TommyWhaler	posted 01-27-2010 07:17 PM ET (US) So Buckda, are you saying I wouldn't have to cut out the section of the floor over the saturated spot?> That would be great.
TommyWhaler	posted 01-27-2010 07:19 PM ET (US) What about the foam?
modenacart	posted 02-04-2010 06:11 PM ET (US) I bought the foam I used from http://www.shopmaninc.com/foam.html I used the 4 lb foam. The expansion is approximately 15 to 1. If there volume of foam is small you might be able to get away with just eyeballing the amount. There is some discussion on estimating the volume needed here. http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/017750.html I would ignore Binkie's ignorant comments.