What causes soft spots on boat floor?

Hi Jeff, Normally, a soft spot is caused when the foam beneath the fiberglass deck gets compressed. The fiberglass usually pops back into place but the foam remains compressed. Soft spots can be caused several ways. The most common is body weight being bounced up & down in the same spot.

What does a soft floor mean on a boat?

It has taken years for enough water and air to get to the areas for the rot to get a good hold so by the time you see a soft spot it means its been slowly rotting under the deck for many years. There are boats that the stringers and transom have remained water tight but they are the oddity.

How do you fix soft spots on fiberglass boat?

Injectadeck is a carefully engineered structural marine foam and adhesive that cures hard as wood, quickly and easily repairing soft spots on your boat’s fiberglass deck caused by rot of the underlying core.

Can you use a boat with soft spots?

You should have the boat thoroughly inspected and examined before you consider it seaworthy again. That’s why it’s important to get an extra eye and investigate whether the soft spot is caused by rot that may be deeper into the boat than you know. If your soft spot is in fiberglass, however, it’s possible to salvage.

How do I test a soft transom?

Look for any signs of transom bowing or deformation. Look for any signs of the motor mounting bolts and washers being pulled into the transom. If the customer knows his boat, he will not have any issues with you to tug up and down on the bottom of the motor with the motor tipped fully up.

Can a fiberglass boat rot?

Fiberglass Boats. Most fiberglass boats have wood in them. This wood will rot. The problem starts when water gets to the wood, and then with enough heat the rot fungi get a grip and off they go.

What causes soft spots in a fiberglass boat?

How much does it cost to fix gelcoat on a boat?

Cost of fiberglass and gelcoat repair can vary depending on the level of damage on the surface. The usual repair cost can vary from $75 to $110, per hour. This includes the material costs and labor charges as well. Chips and gouges can take a few hours to repair.

How much does it cost to fix fiberglass on a boat?

The typical repair cost can vary from $75 to $110 per hour, a price which includes material costs and labor charges, but repairs that need more material and longer labor can cost up to $350. Higher-quality materials typically require higher costs, with fiberglass and gelcoat repair costs reaching as high as $450.

How do I know if my boat transom is bad?

Typically you will see the transom flexing under power, or flexing when applying pressure to the outboard (by hand). You may also see large stress cracks in the corners where the transom meets the sidewalls. For fiberglass you could take a core sample using a hole saw to see if the inner wood is wet and/or rotted.

How much does it cost to repair a boat transom?

In boat repair circles it is a job for a professional yard — tear the old transom away and replace it. This is usually estimated at a cost somewhere between $2,000.00 and $5,000.00 or more depending on the size of the boat.

What is the life expectancy of a fiberglass boat?

How Long Do Fiberglass Boats Typically last? Fiberglass boats can be sound and seaworthy for up to fifty years or more. Fiberglass is very durable, and with proper maintenance and care, fiberglass boats can last for many decades. Fiberglass itself will not break down but instead will break down due to outside factors.

How do you repair rotted wood in a fiberglass boat?

If however, you choose to use this method, we recommend the following procedure:

1. Drill a pattern of 3/16″ diameter holes over the rotted area.
2. Dry the area thoroughly.
3. Inject or pour resin/hardener mixture into the holes while the core is warm.
4. Continue to add epoxy to the holes until the wood can no longer absorb more.

How do you know if your boat is rotting?

Bad rot will lead to totally deteriorated wood and a lot of flex in the transom when the outdrive unit is under load. If you’re not experiencing that, then your transom overall is probably okay. You can probe with a piece of stiff wire around the screw holes and see if there is any severe softness.

How many years will a fiberglass boat last?

How much does it cost to fix a fiberglass boat?

Can you paint over gelcoat?

Absolutely.. there’s never been a need to ‘remove’ gelcoat but it needs to be dewaxed and thoroughly cleaned – a scuff sanding will help but no need to grind it all off. The crappy job is repainting over old paint – especially if you don’t know what was used the first time.

How long can a fiberglass boat last?