Deck to stringers conection
 

When I removed the deck from my 76 MA I found that the floor was two layers of glass with plywood squares in between. This was attached to the stringers on top of about a 2" thick layer of some type of resin. Is this how the factory installed the floors? It was not adhered very well as I could just pull it off. Should I rough sand this base and glue the new floor over it with epoxy and cabosil or remove it to the stringers, build them up with plywood and epoxy, glass over and then install floor? Obviously the first method would be a lot easier, but I'm concerned with adhesion. I can't say I've seen anyone do it this way on this site. If you do remove the resin, how do you do it?

Re: Deck to stringers conection
 

A lot of dirty messy GRINDING [img]/forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Re: Deck to stringers conection
 

I didn't think it whould be neat or easy. Is it necessary? Could a satisfactory deck be laid over this base? I may decide to open up and re foam fill the stringers in which case it is not an issue.

Re: Deck to stringers conection
 

The foam inside the stringers of my project was waterlogged so I would recommend removing any old foam while you have the opportunity. Can you post some photos?

Re: Deck to stringers conection
 

Two scenarios...if the base now is solid and not cracking or flaking and does not pull off from the stringers...yes you could rough it up and epoxy the floor down. However like WT mentioned do a check on your stringer foam by cutting a hole or two and see it its soaked. Then the point is mute.

Re: Deck to stringers conection
 

Mute = unable to speak sounds like "myoot"
Moot = of no significance sounds like "moot"

nonetheless, the point IS moot if the foam is wet.

Re: Deck to stringers conection
 

Hopefuly I can inspect the stringers tomorrow. The foam between the stringers is wet but only down about 1/4 ". I can't imagine the foam inside the stringers is totaly dry because with a four stroke on a 20" transom theres always water in the bilge. Is any wetness in the stringers acceptable? Do you have to cut the entire tops of the stringers off to remove wet foam?

Re: Deck to stringers conection
 

Just had to sorry Harry.. I do not know who cracks me up more and I mean this laughing out loud.. <father frank or gofastsandman>> Too funny.. :D

Re: Deck to stringers conection
 

moot

Re: Deck to stringers conection
 

Hey Harry everyone above really knows their stuff when it comes to Seacraft hulls.. Your getting great info, free to boot..

My stringers have moisture in them too and have been that way for a while.. Long while.. I just recently <last week tore off deck and fixed one stringer>

Best of luck.. CHris
:D

Re: Deck to stringers conection
 

Harry,it's nice to see another person close by doing a Seacraft.I'm 25 minutes on the other side of Sturbridge.

The stringers on my 23(it's an I/O)had a little wet foam on the port side.Most of the moisture seemed to be only about an inch or so on the bottom,so I didn't open them up.
Now that the restoration is done,and the boat is in use,I'm wishing that I "DID! open them up and refoam them.I can't help but wonder every time I use it,If I should have done that.
I always wonder if one of the reasons I can't seem to get the high end speed i'd like out of mine is because of the extra weight of saturated foam.

If you have the whole deck out,you might as well go ahead and do the extra work.
Better to do all the nasty dirty miserable work now,rather than question yourself forever after.
I think you'd find that more of the foam is saturated,once you open them up.
At least you'll have piece of mind,and know that it was done right.

The putty you mentioned was also generously used in mine.They had it caked in big globs in several areas,and I used a hammer and chisel to remove lots of it.
Wear eye protection,because it will shatter all over the place.
If I had to do it all over again,I'd bite the bullet and cut the stringers open,and remove any saturated foam,and replace it.
Then you can be worry free for a very very very very long time.

Re: Deck to stringers conection
 

Just went through the same process. Moisture only in the bottom inch or less. Went back and forth about removal. Then one day while sitting there staring at it, I just grabbed a 2" hole saw opened up some square holes about 8" x 8" in the top and dug it out. Most was small enough to shop vac out. Took about 5 hours but it's done and I,m glad I did it. Mine's a 23' but still don't think you would have to cut the entire top off on yours. Made it easy to recover with fiberglass after it was refoamed. I'm less than 10 mins up the road if you want to take a look.

Re: Deck to stringers conection
 

Don I'd like to take you up on your offer to see your boat. I spent more time monkeying around in mine today. So far the foam in mine seems pretty dry except for where the stringer is cut to allow the fuel lines to pass through. In fact, the foam is the only thing that is dry. I don't know what held this boat together. The hammer and chisel works great on the resin putty, snaps right off.