Soft Spots

[Sean]

Hello,

I recently purchased a 79 V20, and love it. Besides for a few “soft spots” on the deck it is a real solid hull. I’ve pulled all hatches, rod holders and just about anything that came up to check for rot or weakness and can not find any. My main question is, should I be worried about the soft spots? They are mostly located around hatches and were it looks like a wench for lobstering was located.
Thanks in advance for your help.

[willy]

Welcome Sean, if the soft spots are on the hatches themselve's that is pretty common and a few guys here have done the repairs and one fellow made a photo display of what he did.
If the soft spots are on the floor area then you have a more extensive problem which is also pretty common in all older boats including our V's. Stringers that need to be redone. There are also shots and info for that job.
Do a search using the common phrases for the jobs and they will pop up for you, take a look and then ask away.
Lot of good guys here with experience in all aspects of boat work. Good luck and again welcome ;)

[msbhammer]

Glad to have ya Sean. Now post of Pics. !! of your V. ;D ;D ;D ;D

[macojoe]

Run away as fast as you can!!!

Once you start you will never stop!!

Ask anyone here they will tell you the same!

[RIBoater]

I always say - There's nothing like a good lobstering wench. Just don't tell my wife. She'll never let me go again.

[reelapeelin]

Sean, welcome to the board and congrats on your V-20...your soft-spots are of course caused by moisture rotting the wood under the fiberglass...fortunately yours doesn't sound too bad and probably can be fixed w/ out cutting the deck up...there is a proceedure where you can drill 1/8" holes through the upper skin of the floor, let the wood dry out, then inject an epoxy resin in there (I think called Git-Rot) that will encapsulate the dry, rotted wood and strengthen the floor...click here:

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=2093&familyName=Boatlife+G IT-Rot&history=&engine=adwords!6456&keywo rd=git+rot&match_type=

You can use it around where the wench was and your floor will be as strong as new...

...take pics along the way and post 'em as ya go...we're a bunch of lethargic old farts on this board and just luv lookin' at pictures of other peoples broblems ;) ... ;D ;D ...

[Sean]

Thanks for all of the welcomes and suggestions. The soft spots do seem to be concentrated around hatches and the spot were the winch was. The only other obstacle is that the boat sat for almost two years with about ¼ tank of gas in the internal tanks. The tank looks good and all of the hoses have been replaced but I am currently running her off of an external 28gal tank until spring when I can concentrate on cleaning the internal tank. All I am planning on doing know is getting ready for the fall run. I will try and post some pics soon.

RIBoater, I am Newport RI, and do know a few “lobstering wench” if you are interested. ;D

Thanks again!

[msbhammer]

What ya gonna do with the wich ??, keep it or sell it.
Might be interested in it.

[Veeder]

Sean

Welcome aboard. I'm in Wickford. Soft floor? Been there, done that , got the T-shirt .

[Sean]

I don't have the winch, I am just assuming that is what was there.

T-shirt? What T-shirt, I wanta T-shirt. ;D

Thanks again!!