20 CC Deck Rebuild

EP · #1 02-22-2003, 03:50 PM

I am replacing the deck on my 71 20' and cut it out today. The stringers are in great shape but I wasn't sure if I needed to dig all of the foam out under the deck. Someone said to but I wasn't sure. The center part is all clean where I am going to put the tank in. The foam isn't too waterlogged. Also any other ideas/considerations you can think of while I am at this stage would be great. Thanks Eric

Mark · #2 02-22-2003, 11:23 PM

build stringers up enough to raise floor several inches?

Serenity · #3 02-23-2003, 12:56 PM

I agree on raising the deck (for a flush deck).On my 20 cutty that I just sold, I had an insulated fish box made flush to the floor that drained straight down using treaded plugs. It was located in the center between two fuel tanks. Its easy to clean fishbox and boat and no water is in hull area as everything is sealed. Might also consider painting the tank and also fiberglassing any exposed wood (if used) under deck and deck itself. Good luck on your project.

EP · #4 02-23-2003, 09:02 PM

So i am still unsure if i should dig all that foam out? What do ya guys think?

JohnS · #5 02-24-2003, 12:37 PM

Well, you said, "The foam isn't too waterlogged". Personally, if it has water in it, get rid of it. Digging it out is a messy job but, do you really want to leave moisture in there? I would not but, hey, up to you. If you have the floor out, why not do the job right so you won't ever have to do it again?

John [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

EP · #6 02-25-2003, 02:09 PM

Doesn't the foam provide some floattation if the boat was to fill with water. Am I taking a safety precation away by digging the foam out?

John R · #7 02-25-2003, 02:12 PM

EP - you should probably pull the foam and have new poured. If the foam is water logged, not only is it heavier but it will not provide the floataion its supposed to.

For faom you can get foams you mix and will expand to fill the cavities or you can have some hull repair place do the foam. Somone here mentioned that it was cheaper to have someone do it than to but and mix themselves. Do a search on "foam" and all of the boards for that post

Ed · #8 02-25-2003, 04:13 PM

EP-

Definitely dig out the foam now and replace it with new foam. That foam is at least 25 years old.

You can buy the foam (2-part mixture) and pour it in place. Just be sure you do a little bit at a time and leave room (or escape holes) so that the excess foam has a place to leech out when it expands beyond the capacity of the cavity you are pouring the foam into.

Or, like John R. said, you can take the boat to a fiberglass shop and see if they will do it for you. Some shops use a foam gun to blow it in and others use the process I mentioned above.

Be sure to wear gloves!

EBEACH · #9 02-25-2003, 11:09 PM

FYI, it is my understanding that if you pour the foam and let it be, it will remain as a closed cell. If you happen to shave excess off the top or sides, you have exposed the foam, and would then need to cover it with resin or resin and glass. So it is best to pour just enough, than to pour too much, and then cut it. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]