Any pointers Before I cut my floor out!!!

jdawg69750 · #1 01-14-2011, 10:04 PM

I recently bought a 74 wellcraft as a project.. and i believe it is going to be a fun one at that. A lot of people have told me about foam inserts on each side of the hull.. is that true? and they have also stated that when water soaks up in the foam it is 10 times heaver! what is the best way and easiest way to get this accomplished?

how can i get to the foam without cutting out the floor?

thanks

Skools Out · #2 01-14-2011, 10:18 PM

correct me if wrong boys there was no foam in the 1974 hulls

tsubaki · #3 01-15-2011, 06:44 AM

Skools is right.
No foam in that boat.

If it is a cuddy, stick your head beneath the floor and look.
Looks like this.

tsubaki · #4 01-15-2011, 07:42 AM

Now if you are real antsy to do something with the floor, got some suggestions but it's gonna be time consuming.
First evaluate the transom as to redoing it, go ahead and make it a 25".
Consider raising the floor a few inches to make the boat self bailing.
Now you need to consider fuel tank location and floor boxes. I'd plan to add foam.
If that boat don't have a water line mark to determine floor height reference, I can give you a pretty close number.

jdawg69750 · #5 01-15-2011, 09:04 AM

that is good to know, thanks
its a good thing i asked before i ripped out the floor and found no damn foam! That just saved me a lot of time!

Why is there no foam in the hull of a 74?

So that actually make my boat lighter?

Were they at the test stage of different ideas?

Does any body know of a site of the Wellcraft history?

tsubaki · #6 01-15-2011, 09:16 AM

Can't remember what year it was mandated for certain size boats to have a percentage of flotation foam, seems like it was 1976 or '77.
The correct foam type is exceptional for trailer queens and adds very good support.
If you are somehow bypassing it, look at this page and click History, Gallery or Links.
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/

Steplift 72' · #7 02-01-2011, 08:25 PM

I believe the Coast Guard level flotation rule was for boats less than 20'0", at least at that time. Suppose the extra 5" LOA exempted the V20 from that rule. I've never dug into a boat smaller than 20' that did not have flotation. I did have a friend with a SeaBird V20 (yes, identical) and he always bragged on how much heavier it was than my Wellcraft. Turns out after digging below the floor, his hull was full of saturated foam. He's right though, it probably weighed 4000 pounds empty. The foam is great support, but it's also great for keeping stringers and bulkheads damp.....at least in this wet part of the country.