Should I repair soft spot on boat?

Question

Got a 1977 15' AMF Crestliner. The previous owner kept it in tip top shape. Great Evinrude 85 hp engine. However, there are two small soft spots. The boat was only $1200 and every boat I've come across for $2500 or under has soft spots. Wondering how long a floor will last with this? Should I fix it or just enjoy the boat till the floor falls out since I got it so cheap? I don't really have the money to pour into it.

Answer 1

From a safety stand-point, if you find a soft spot, you should always fix it... the floor in most boats helps to act as support for the hull and stringers.  A soft floor may also be a sign that your stringers may be rotten as well.  It is best to find the problem and fix it before it gets too bad.

I replaced the entire floor in one of my boats, replaced a small area in another of my boats, and also had a cheap boat that I didn't care about much and just screwed a piece of carpeted plywood over the soft-spot to get it by so I could enjoy it right away.

It all depends on how safe you feel the boat is, and how bad the rot is.  A small, semi-soft area can sometimes get away with nothing done to it for a year or two before it becomes a problem depending on the climate and whether or not it is regularly undercover.  Small spots don't take long to fix, so you may as well spend a day or two fixing it, if not only for the the peace of mind alone!

Answer 2

Soft spots on the floor  cost about  $8.50 a square foot to  repair  correctly

You'll probably need to repair about 1-2

Sq.Ft. for each spot

so $15.00 - $50.00 depending on how bad it is under the carpet

OR depending on the location

You could "bolt "a cooler down over the soft spot

Re-arrange the seating to cover 1 or more spots

Take out the seats.

Pull up the carpet.

Buy some1/2" plywood and  s***w it down to cover the whole floor,

Glue the carpet down seal the edges

replace the seats

Go boating  have fun

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Answer 3

Are thesoft spots in the floor?  

If its made of plywood, by all means, make a new one.  

If its a fiberglass boat and the soft spots are in the hull, you need to have those repaired.  Its not complicated but it is time consuming and you have to work with fiberglass resin and glass.

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