Floor collapsing! Need help!

[wp2lc]

Looking for guidance.

I own a 2001 SAN.

My floor is sagging pretty bad between my ski locker and gas tank cover. First two images show a 4’ level laid across the floor. Easily an inch or more of sag. I took the boat to have all the vinyl replaced and decided while it was almost empty I would take it to a fiberglass shop and see what they thought of the floor issue. While he couldn’t totally diagnose how much work it would take until he pulls it apart a little more, he said he thinks the whole floor may need to come out and be replace. Estimated if it’s that bad it would be as much as $10k. The guy has been in business for 30 years and came strongly recommended so I’m willing to trust him but will probably seek second opinion if the diagnosis is bad.

Only posts I’m finding on the subject are from older boats with wood. I always thought my boat didn’t have wood but maybe I’m wrong. The floor does get extremely narrow at that point and would obviously be a weak spot. It has a cross support/perpendicular stringer just in front of the gas tank that appears to have been rigged from the factory. It looks like (last two images are from ski locker looking up at the underside of the floor/support wall joint) the cross support was cut too low so instead of pulling it out and starting over they just cut a shim of glass board and topped it so it would meet the height needed to support the floor. Appears the shim that is topping the cross support is now collapsed. Fiberglass guy said the cross support is one problem but that the floor itself wouldn’t flex just due to lack of support, and that the floor is also cracked or else it would still be rigid.

I’m in the orlando area and tempted to pull it to the factory and ask what they think about it. Not sure if that’s allowed at the new factory like you could when they were on orange Ave.


I’d love to hear any thoughts you guys have.


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[ScooterMcgavin]

I had a friend in Orlando have a barefoot nautique floor redone about 7 years ago and it was 8k so I don’t think he is far off in price and may be the same guy even. He was recommended.

[hal2814]

I’d recommend pulling the carpet so you can see for yourself what’s going on. Whatever you end up doing will require that anyway. That being said there is no structural wood anywhere on that boat. I would be inclined to ignore it unless there’s a good reason I can’t.

[wp2lc]

Thanks for the responses.

My concern is that it will continue to get worse, or weaken the hull and cause other damage.

[core-rider]

I'm not so sure what you're calling a "shim" is actually a bonding agent between the floor and bulkhead. Either way if there is a gap between the two then I would expect some give/flex with weight over time. I agree that gap doesn't need to be there, but without replacing the entire bulkhead a piece scabbed in the gap is the only other remedy. I'm not sure if one is better than the other using proper materials.

What I find interesting is the lack of "tabbing" securing the bulkhead to the floor at that joint. Usually a few layers of fiberglass and resin are use to mechanically bond the pieces to keep them from moving and strengthen the whole joint. I see no signs of that in those pics.

I think more research is required to figure out exactly what is going on. I can speak from experience with cutting the floor in my 2003 SANTE that they build a very strong and thick floor system. Even with the gap I'd find it hard to believe the floor is giving unless it had a good bit a weight applied at that particular point. Good luck with it and keep us updated what you find... I'd really like to see as your hull is very similar to mine.

[NautiqueJeff]

Did you happen to transfer the hull/deck/stringer warranty when you bought it? If so, this may actually be warranty.

[core-rider]

Did you happen to transfer the hull/deck/stringer warranty when you bought it? If so, this may actually be warranty.

Is that a lifetime warranty??? I thought that was only good for 5 years.

[wp2lc]

Thanks Jason,
may not be real clear in the pictures but there is definitely about a 1.5” gap between the top of the bulkhead (what I was calling cross support) and the floor. You can see it better at the opening on the starboard side where there is a cutout for the gas feed and steering
cable.

[NautiqueJeff]

Is that a lifetime warranty??? I thought that was only good for 5 years.

From the 2001 Owner's Manual:

[core-rider]

Hmmm… I did not realize that. Guess I had it confused with the transferable warranty limit. Nice to know I still have a hull warranty!


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[wp2lc]

Well, I bought my boat from the original owner in 2008 so it was too late to transfer anyway. But I sure think it looks like a manufacturing defect! I get that what I’m seeing may just be the bonding agent but if you consider my floor is already one inch low in that area and I can still see one inch game between the bulkhead and the floor.