Soft Spot

[chackett]

For years I've read threads about people saying they have soft spots on their floor. I never knew what they meant until recently.

I happened to be walking on the deck of the boat in my sig. A F20 Fisherman. In the small area between the front bench seat and the raised bow platform area I happened to notice a very small, very subtle soft spot. I would estimate the spot to be about the size of a small grapefruit. I can really only find it if I am looking for it and I can only feel it with my bare heel. The amount of "give" in the soft spot is so small, I'm not sure I could even estimate give in the soft spot.

There's another spot with the same characteristics behind the leaning post.

Again .. the spot is very small, and very subtle. Any normal adult could stand on either soft spot with all their weight and they would probably not notice that they had stepped on a soft spot.

What would you do with this? Anything? I am considering re-painting the deck / floor to re-seal the floor and cover the spider cracking in the current surface. I don't want to seal some problem in, but I don't really fancy a complicated job of cutting the floor apart and doing fiberglass work.

Anyway, would love some input!

Thanks,
Chris

[Destroyer]

Well, the "correct" answer is repair it properly. If that means removing the deck, etc, then so be it.

However, the "incorrect" answer (at least from where I stand), is leave it alone. You have a problem, It will need to be fixed at some point. Right now it's a minor problem from what you describe. Eventually, over time, it will grow to be a major problem if not fixed. But I wouldn't touch it until winter is here and the boating season is done. This is summer right now, and it will serve no purpose to tear your boat apart and loose out on this warm fishing and boating weather. Leave it alone till winter and then ask the question again. IMHO

[chackett]

Thanks for the reply destroyer. Hopefully there are some threads here (or anywhere really) where someone has documented a similar repair.

I'm a pretty avid and generally capable DIY'er .. but I'm not sure about this. I've seem photos of folks cutting out their floors and I'm not sure I have it in me to go through all that. Plus I don't really have anywhere to do that kind of job. I live in a neighborhood where a job like that can't really be done.

I'll definitely search for threads and advice. If you know any relevant threads where I can start reading and educating myself on the size and scope of such a job, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks again Destroyer,
Chris

[bradford]

I agree with Destroyer. Soft spots are usually larger once you dig into them and can be like opening a can of worms. I'd keep your hatches open when covered and not in use to help dry things out and not touch the soft spot until it's unbearable and you're ready to cut the deck out or do a cap off restoration.

[phatdaddy]

there is a copy of the west epoxy manual in the link sections. there are a few suggestions for situations like yours. agree with d, use it this summer and repair this winter.

[robmints]

Originally Posted by bradford

I agree with Destroyer. Soft spots are usually larger once you dig into them and can be like opening a can of worms. I'd keep your hatches open when covered and not in use to help dry things out and not touch the soft spot until it's unbearable and you're ready to cut the deck out or do a cap off restoration.

When you cut the floor out, do you know where you are going to stop? I am new here and I guess I should be gentle and not wee on your corn flakes. But. Just read through the site here, and other boating sites, and see what is the common outcome when you take the floor up. You can end up with a beautiful result, but it may be more work than you are ready for if just the floor scares you. Also but. By the time you have found a place to work and committed to the process of cutting the floor you will be more than psychologically ready to see it through. Whether you do finish it or not is another story, but you will be ready going in.

I'm not sure paying a professional shop to do the work is a reasonable solution. You know your area better than most anyone on here, so if that is an avenue you are considering it is never too soon to start investigating.

I don't mean to be a negative naybob but I have seen what is under the floor of a few boats. When it is a boat with a soft floor it's usually not a brand new bilge under there.

[tartuffe]

Rob, normally you take a drill with a very small bit and start drilling out in a pattern from the center to see the limits of where you finally start getting dry wood shavings.

[SkunkBoat]

I've done a half-asst repair that seems to be holding up. Now, I had no choice because there was already the 5" hole where the passenger pedestal was and soft wood where the screws were. I just dug out the soft wood from between the glass , stuck in a piece of old teak, then fiberglass & Bondo baby. Of course, then I had to paint the deck....
Point is, like others said, beware of "project creep".

Also, I have noticed a few spots where the deck flexes but its not the wood core it is space between the deck & stringer caused by pieces of the adhesive epoxy crumbling out from age. I'll live with it until the day comes to do a total restore.