need new boat deck!

saltlife addicts · 11-01-2009, 07:56 PM

I am looking to find someone who can rebuild the deck in my 80's model center console 20' proline. I know the deck has some soft spots, and dont trust it knowing it's like that. The boat has the inner hull liner that looks to me like it needs to be completely pulled in order to do this.If you notice the storage and bulkhead in the front are part of the inner liner.I'm looking to find someone who can tackle this. And I know this will be costly, what kind of range am I looking at and who can do this?? I am located in south Ga. And no, scrapping the boat is not an option!

Enclosed are some pics of it. thanks michael

bumster · 11-02-2009, 06:39 AM

You do have your work cut out for you. Have you ever worked with fiberglass? If you have and your not in a rush to get it finished why not just do it yourself. I did this on a 17 foot angler when I was in my late teens

VeroWing · 11-02-2009, 06:52 AM

You could try checking link below for someone to do your repair. It is a forum of DIY boat repairers and boat builders. Should find a few in your area.

http://forums.bateau2.com/viewforum.php?f=10

relentlesspursuit · 11-02-2009, 08:20 AM

I second the visit to Boat Builder Central (bateau forums) as I worked with these guys on their Aquasport rebuild; they have a wealth of knowledge on their forums including how to photos & such.

Phil/Fill · 11-02-2009, 08:34 AM

The actaul deck dose not look that bad? So is it the under support that you are concerned with? I would recommend doing it yourself. The repair the soft spots is not that hard but it is time consuming. Let us know if you are intrested?

thataway · 11-02-2009, 08:05 PM

The way that the boats are built is that the inner hull liner (deck, seats, etc) are all molded over a male mold. The plywood (most likely--could be balsa or even less likely foam) has become wet because of holes in the floor which were not properly sealed. The liner and deck were attatched to the boat at the hull to deck joint under the rub rail. taking that apart is a large job, but so is cutting out the floor, and then rebuilding the bottom or even just replacing the plywood, and then reglassing the liner in where you cut it out. Not really expensive, if you do it, but paying someone $85 an hour to do it, could easily cost as much as the boat is worth.

I agree, that you are best doing it dIY--but it is a lot of work, so be prepared.

BoatHaus · 11-03-2009, 03:24 PM

No matter how you do it, it's a big job. The boat looks like you have maintained it very well and I'm sure you want to retain the factory look. Here's a link to show you how we did a 302 Scarab with the same problem. http://www.boathaus.net/302_Scarab_S...ore/index.html

If you want to tackle this type of project, I would be happy to give you any advice or help you may need. It's a lil hard over the internet but if you're mechanically inclined and have the right basic tools, i can help you through it. Let me know if you want to go that route and I can give you very specific outlines on what to do. Either way, Good Luck.

saltlife addicts · 11-03-2009, 05:15 PM

thanks for all of the replys. I'm going to tackle it. Anything worth doing, is worth doing right!

jayyyy · 11-03-2009, 07:29 PM

Boathaus, best post I have seen on this topic, Thankyou.

NauticalSteve25 · 11-03-2009, 07:34 PM

BoatHaus,
What an excellent post! Excellent to learn from. Very nice work you do too.