posted 09-12-2011 09:49 AM ET (US)        

Some years ago and because the floor got extremely hot in the summer, I decided to put down an approx. 3'x2' rubber floor mat (with indoor/outdoor carpet on top) in the open floor area between the pilot seat and stern. After some months, I started to notice the floor under the mat seemed to have more spider cracking than the rest of the area outside the mat. Of course, I immediately removed the mat but maybe the damage was already done. It may just be coincidence, but I then had a couple of spots show-up a few years later that felt a little soft under my foot pressure and in the same area as the mat.

I've since drilled a few small holes in these spots and used the West Marine epoxy system syringe to fill-in the voids. It seems to work fine and no more soft feeling. I really don't think the flooring is rotten since the wood from the drilled holes looked dry. The boat sits very high in the water with little draft and I see no weeping or evidence of water-logging. It's been on a trailer 95% of it's life.

Now to my question: What could have caused the soft floor? Is it possible my problems could be as simple as de-lamination of the fiberglass flooring from the wood beneath? Or, should I suspect some wood is rotten and damaged?

Thanks in advance for any opinions.

posted 09-14-2011 07:24 AM ET (US)            

I suspect that if water ever gets into the hull, freeze/thaw cycles can have an effect. Everytime any water in the hull freezes, it expands, possibly lifting/separating the foam from the fiberglass laminate. If more water can then get in.....it just gets worse.

That is what I suspect might have happened to our 13' Super Sport. Performed the West Systems injection cure......no more problem.

posted 09-14-2011 08:28 AM ET (US)            

Good point and I never thought much about freezing issues. The boat has always been in the south, but almost always outside so I suppose there have been times when freezing /thawing could occur.....albeit not as often as up north.

I was thinking maybe the mat I put down caused a hot spot on the floor and maybe some delamination due to uneven expansion of the materials.

Anyhow, I applied the West system epoxy and it seems to have fixed the problem.....for now anyhow. I still have to use some Spectrum Gelcoat paste to try and cover-up the small holes I drilled in the floor.

Thanks again for the input.

posted 09-14-2011 05:48 PM ET (US)            

So maybe soft spots can be caused by frequent and varying pressure from walking on the boat's floor? I would think something must cause the materials to separate in the first place, but it seems possible. I wonder if anyone who has cut out a floor to repair these soft spots has ever seen a separation of materials with little to no water damage? Guess I may never know.

Anyhow, if nothing else this frequent use would certainly accelerate any issues beneath the floor's surface.

Thanks for your thoughts. I never considered this possibility.