Its amazing what we learn from tearing something apart. I had to patch a spot in the floor of my boat, which has not been fun, but luckily was specific to the floor, not the stringers.

I'm repairing it to sell, and as I look, I've gotten settled on certain must-haves, and I definitely know a few more things to look for and how to inspect my next boat a little better.

I am 100% committed to no wood in the structural components (AND NO CARPET), which had me wondering...I totally get how a boat with a wood floor could get soft, but if a no-wood boat had a soft floor....

A) is that even possible, if so, what is it inside that floor that makes it soft?

B) is it a bigger deal than a soft spot in a wood floor, not as big of a deal, or about the same?

I'm getting really close to going out and actually putting my eyes and hands on some potential replacements and I really want to know what to run away from as I'd like this boat to last 10+ years.

1 ...

Report Post

Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt

Here

Member since Jan 2011

69155 posts

Posted on 2/13/19 at 8:40 am to AUjim

Delamination from the stringer is the big one that would scare me. Otherwise it really shouldnt happen. Cap separation is also a major potential problem.

Dont be scared of wood dude. Viking and hatteras still use wood. People put far too much emphasis on that in the bay boat market and it really reflects in the price. A shitty composite boat is vastly inferior yet more expensive than a properly built glass over wood core hull.

2 ...

Report Post

Posted by AUjim

America

Member since Dec 2012

3706 posts

Posted on 2/13/19 at 8:49 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt

quote:
Dont be scared of wood dude. Viking and hatteras still use wood. People put far too much emphasis on that in the bay boat market

Thank you! I just don't understand enough about composite construction to know what would make it high or low quality...like you mentioned, I'm prob one of the ones putting too much stock in 'no-wood' just because I know that our particular boat will spend plenty of time with water in the floor...kids in and out and such on fam days...

1 ...

Report Post

Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt

Here

Member since Jan 2011

69155 posts

Posted on 2/13/19 at 1:42 pm to AUjim

Just know your brands and what is generally "dogged out" or not. A good composite boat (blackjack, frontier, etc) is top notch and should be a lifetime hull if you want it to be. By the same token, a rolled gunnel kenner that hasnt been abused is a lifetime hull as well and that's wood core. You just cant go poking holes all over the place

2 ...

Report Post

Posted by KemoSabe65

70605

Member since Mar 2018

5476 posts

Posted on 2/13/19 at 4:56 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt

Yep, start punching holes in any of them witthout proper sealant and you’re going to have trouble.

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by convertedtiger

Baton Rouge

Member since Aug 2010

2789 posts

Posted on 2/13/19 at 5:34 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt

Nice choice in boats. Both made by the Kenner boys. Kenner MFG before they sold to Tracker/Bass Pro Shops and now K2 Marine. Still old Kenner was still the best boat I have ever owned as far as dependability and ride.

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by fishfighter

RIP

Member since Apr 2008

40026 posts

Posted on 2/13/19 at 5:46 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt

quote:
Delamination from the stringer is the big one that would scare me. Otherwise it really shouldnt happen. Cap separation is also a major potential problem.

This or some ribs broke.

quote:
Dont be scared of wood dude. Viking and hatteras still use wood. People put far too much emphasis on that in the bay boat market and it really reflects in the price. A shitty composite boat is vastly inferior yet more expensive than a properly built glass over wood core hull.

Problem here, small boat builders will not take the time to soak in epoxy. Big boats like Viking do take the time to do so.

Page 1