Floor : Hull : Liner Structural Build ?
 

Been thinking about doing some floor work on my 23' Tsunami. A buddy and I were talking about what keeps the rigidity of these boats.

My vision of it ( up for discussion ):

Huge stringers are glassed to the hull. Potter Putty (PP) is then placed on top of the stringers and the the liner/floor is then placed on top of this Potter Putty, 'gluing' the liner/floor in place. The liner and the cap are then screwed in at the rubrail. Not sure how, if at all, the liner/ floor attaches to the hull near the vertical sides of the hull ? Also, below deck bulkheads play a critical role as well.

Sound right ?

I've viewed many SC floor job pix and it seems that the PP does not make contact with a lot of the liner/ floor as seen when the old floor is ripped out. You can see 30-40% of the PP with no contact at all. This seems like an achilles heal. Without ripping out the floor, how could you know of the integrity of this union of floor to stringers ?

Lastly, if you were to rip out a floor and replace, what is the better mouse-trap then the original PP / floor / stringer joint ? Where and what bulkheads are there that would need to be inspected ?

Just thinking of a winter project.

?

I'll bet there is more contact with the Potter Putty than you think.

I am surprised that I'm getting crickets on this topic. If and when a new floor is done, how is it attached to the tops of the stringers ?

I think some of your concerns about the Potter Putty not making full contact are unfounded. The liners were overbuilt at the factory. I would say if 50% of the putty made contact, you're good. See attached for reassurance.

http://www.classicseacraft.com/commu...1&d=1536181198

BTW, diggin' those bikinis!

I would venture to say that full contact between the two is a mute point and not necessary in the hulls structural integrity. Remember these boats were built like tanks.... all three parts. If you take the same precautions when building a new floor you should be fine. Some are using a new "Glue" that is out there designed for bonding the deck to the stringers forget what it's called.....I'm wondering if thats even necessary seeing how long Potters method lasted. You will gain an appreciation and great respect for "Potter putty" when you tear out your deck :) just sayin

strick

If attached to stringers then how / why so many spungy floors?

The cracks in the gelcoat on decks (some more than others) is from the deck flexing because of lack of contact with the deck/putty/stringers, more voids means more flexing/cracking.

The rot in my floor was from the rigging hole under the console. Either from the factory or when my uncle put the Suzuki on it, the rigging hole was not sealed. When I pulled the layer of glass from the underside, you could tell exactly where it started...and how far it spread. The balsa was like a sponge still saturated.