Soft Deck

[buellie21]

Does anyone have any creative solutions for a soft spot in the deck without ripping up or into the deck from the top? My boat is an '83 23 footer. Thanks! Doug

[Islandtrader]

Does anyone have any creative solutions for a soft spot in the deck without ripping up or into the deck from the top? My boat is an '83 23 footer. Thanks! Doug

One way to tackle this is to tap around the area til you hear the solid sound. Now draw a circle or box and cut the skin and peel back replace the damaged area and glass the skin back in.

Another way is to map the area as before. Than drill several small holes 3/16 just inside the outline. Check and see if the core coming out is dry or wet and adjust the map.

Drill holes approx. 5 inches apart on the map. Identify the lowest area, and start injecting epoxy resin into the hole until you get it coming out of the next hole. Then continue the process until all holes are filled. Weigh the area down and after it is done chamfer the holes and patch.

Hope this helps.

[KenB]

You can use CPES instead of epoxy, with the same drilling technique.

If you have wet wood, I think they might recommend a step where you inject acetone or other solvent to chase out the water.

I wouldn't do this with a transom, but a deck should be ok.

[Bushwacker]

. . .If you have wet wood, I think they might recommend a step where you inject acetone or other solvent to chase out the water.

Denatured alcohol works well as a drying agent because it will penetrate any wet wood, combine with the water and eventually evaporate. Use that and let it dry for a few days before using Git Rot or equivalent.

[pelican]

anything is gonna be a "band-aid",if the deck is soft,the core is gone.you can attempt to fill it with epoxy,but,you're gonna find out,the results are not what you want...there's no such thing as a miracle pour in product to repair rotted wood coring...
the deck in my rig has a soft spot-next year,it's goin' inside my shop for a new deck...

[abl1111]

Soft Deck ? You need Viagra for fiberglass

MO: Soft and delaminated are two different things; one is or was wet and is potentially rotten - or not, the other is less ominous.

I have an area on my deck that is 10" diameter - where my theory is that for over (35) years someone would jump on and off the boat onto this spot, or something dropped there ? It has a delam'd skin there - like formica where the glue came undone.

The floor below is solid, but the skin has definitely detached.

I have thought about fixing it but cosmetically it looks perfect - only I know it's there ( pisses me off every time I feel it though !). I have thought about the drill and fill concept 'ala West System Fiberglass repair, but don't want it to look like sh*t, i.e. matching OEM non-skid.

Are you sure it's rotted ?