Deck Project

[dale1]

Well, I removed the rear floor section to change a pump. I discovered a waterlogged floor section So, since it had to fixed, I might as well do it right. I removed the soaked wood. replaced it with foam and fiberglass. I added a stringer for additional support. I removed the main floor to tiger hair the hinge end. I did not want to insert new screws into an area that I could not see. So I removed it to be safe. I beefed up the area under the hinge area with marine plywood along the hinge area. Flush hinges were inset. the round hatch was filled, and rubber gasket was installed to stop some of the water. the area works great for dirty storage. Dale, 2002 265 express.

 

[Fishtales]

Dale,
That is pretty darn nice work there. Couple of questions:
- How did you get the gelcoat so smooth and how was it applied?
- Did you consider a piano hinge like the one on the vertical access?

I think it came out great.

 

[dale1]

Fishtales. thank you. I sprayed the gel coat. I still had to cut and polish it. But only on the top edge. The below deck is good enough. It came out really pretty after it was cleaned. the dirty looking edges were polishing compound. Duplicating the diamond patter where the hatch was, was tough. Took 3 tries. I used undercoat first, and I could not get it to pull up with tearing. So, a full tube of Silicone squirted and mashed on to the surface make the best mold. Then I put in on the new gel coat in the wrong direction, second attempt. So, I sanded it down and redid it.

I have little feet on the boat sometimes. often bare. I a piano hinge but it was going to have to stick up slightly for the hatch to go all the way down to the deck. which is important in this case. It is a deep locker. I can barely reach the bottom, so I wanted to be able to lean on the open door. These are those double pin type hinges that allow the door to come all the way to the deck and go forward slightly when closed to allow for a rubber gasket. A piano hinge would likely allow more water to pass. I spayed water on the hatch for 30 sec and very little water entered the locker. For now, but the rubber is new.

Keep in mind. I'm an old insurance agent. I'm going to need knee replacements, and back surgery after I finish this d@*m boat. that was "not" a light bulb replacement post. It was looked at 14 times and no likes. plus it took me 2 or 3 hundred hours to do that post. I lost the photos 3 times. :welcome

 

[Sea Shift]

Nice work! That sub floor idea is cool. I may have to do something like that in my 265. More fish storage!!!!

 

[TUNAHUNTER197]

Looks amazing Dale. Wish I had half the skills to accomplish this on my 265. Great craftsmanship!

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

Wow....i am a little slow at times, so did you essentially make the panel from scratch? That is pretty darn cool. So my next question is how old is the original?

 

[VeroWing]

Nice work! :goodjob

 

[DennisG01]

Thanks for taking the time to post this, Dale. I'm doing some similar things right now with replacing the entire floor and adding a new floor access hatch/panel. The boat was originally a stern drive and I need to cover that area where the engine woudl of been. But I want to make this as waterproof as possible - either that, or design a drainage system and run it to a new thru-hull. Seeing what you did will help me along the way.

 

[qdiver]

Great Job Dale...That's something I like to learn and do more of.. fiberglass work, it's amazing what you can with glass and the knowlage on how to use it.
Thanks for sharing that.. :goodjob

 

[fishbust]

Nice job! They should all be hinged there, access below in a hurry if needed.

 

[dale1]

Wow....i am a little slow at times, so did you essentially make the panel from scratch? That is pretty darn cool. So my next question is how old is the original?

Hey Bob. Its the original panel. I just gutted the wood from inside, replaced it with fiberglass, and closed in the 6' round hatch. then gel coated the bottom and part of the top section.

 

[dale1]

Thanks for taking the time to post this, Dale. I'm doing some similar things right now with replacing the entire floor and adding a new floor access hatch/panel. The boat was originally a stern drive and I need to cover that area where the engine woudl of been. But I want to make this as waterproof as possible - either that, or design a drainage system and run it to a new thru-hull. Seeing what you did will help me along the way.

Yes, I agree with limiting the water access. that's partly why I pulled up the main floor. I did not want to screw into the wood core if possible. I 'm really pleased with the rubber gasket so far, but I'm looking for anther type of strip that will go on the top edge of the panel to help stop some of the water entering the trough that was made. one of the most time consuming parts was duplicated the diamond pattern. I wish I had spent the 56 bucks on a piece of mold material already made. Dale

 

[DennisG01]

I'm looking for anther type of strip that will go on the top edge of the panel to help stop some of the water entering the trough that was made. one of the most time consuming parts was duplicated the diamond pattern. I wish I had spent the 56 bucks on a piece of mold material already made. Dale

YES! I've been trying to find the same thing. I have a picture in my mind of some type of vinyl gasket in the shape of a "T". Possibly 1" in each direction. The vertical section of the "T" would glue/stick onto the vertical section of the hatch perimeter, allowing the horizontal section of the "T" to lay flat over the gap. And, I think I may have even seen this type of thing somewhere, but I can't remember where. LEt me know if you find it and I'll do the same.

I give you credit for making your own mold! I would not even have attempted that, knowing how much time their would be with that. More power to 'ya!

 

[DennisG01]

I'm also thinking of just nixing the whole idea of trying to keep water out, since it's probably something I'd have to keep on top of over the years as I'm sure the seals will fail or weaken. Maybe it would be better to design a simple drainage gutter around the interior lip and connect it to a thru-hull for direct overboard discharge. It might be as simple as an aluminum or fiberglass L-channel secured around the interior lip and making a larger area in one corner for the drain. Just have to make sure the vertical leg of the L-channel (and the L-channel around the drain area) doesn't interfere with the closing of the hatch, which I don't think will take much effort at all.

 

[Sea Shift]

I like the plate you put down in the bilge. Makes for an extra storage area!!

 

[drbatts]

Nice work. I saw a similar project another member did on his boat. I think about doing the same thing on my boat every time i have to open that section of floor to get at a pump. I still don't know why Grady didn't put a hinged door over this section in any of their boats of this vintage. I also like the idea of the second floor piece down below. Even if you can store small stuff down there would be great. it was wasted space anyway.

 

[dale1]

Nice work. I saw a similar project another member did on his boat. I think about doing the same thing on my boat every time i have to open that section of floor to get at a pump. I still don't know why Grady didn't put a hinged door over this section in any of their boats of this vintage. I also like the idea of the second floor piece down below. Even if you can store small stuff down there would be great. it was wasted space anyway.

drbatts. thank you. its a fairly large area there, even with shelf intalled. It holds 3 bumpers, fishing net, etc, with alot of room left over. next time i'm on the boat i'll take an updated pic. dale

 

[picflight]

Good work Dale.

What is the green layer in this picture? Is this the floor cover, or fuel tank cover?

 

[dale1]

That's the main floor section. The green stuff is a long strand fiberglass material that holds a screw well. Tiger hair etc. I was worried about the Hinge area not having enough strength, so I took the floor up and beefed-up that area. So far so good. We fished with the boat last weekend, and we used the area repeatedly. it's really a nice space. Dale.