Replacing carpet covered plywood divider

[beernutz]

I have a carpet covered divider made of plywood that separates the area immediately forward of the transom from the rest of the boat. Currently my batteries are behind each side of the divider.

On the picture above the divider is a large downward facing "C" shape on each side and above the engine hatch which has a horizontal ridge halfway down so that the top cushions can me moved down and rest on the ridge when used as seats.

The left end of the divider has rotted out to the point that it when I removed it from the boat it would swing back and forth like a flag. I think I'm going to just replace the entire divider but never having done this type of thing before I'm at a loss as to where to start.

Since you really can't see much of the the divider even when you are in the boat I think I may not go to the trouble try to cover it with carpet matching what is in the boat.

The divider is also covered on the back side with that dimpled foam which acts as a sound reducer so whatever I replace it with should also act as a sound barrier.

I'd like to create this for less than $200 if possible without sacrificing quality too much.

Any suggestions for types of materials (e.g. starboard, plywood, wood plank) or how they should be prepared before installing in the boat are gratefully accepted.

 

[Lazy Daze]

I'd use pressure treated plywood or marine-grade. PT will be fine, though.

Seal the edges with epoxy (or similar), for example: Gluv-it. You could seal the whole thing in epoxy, but honestly, that's overkill. For a little extra protection (w/o the hassle of sealing the whole thing) you could paint it.

I'm actually surprised it rotted out to start with. Has the boat been left open a lot? Or constantly put away wet?

 

[beernutz]

I'd use pressure treated plywood or marine-grade. PT will be fine, though.

Seal the edges with epoxy (or similar), for example: Gluv-it. You could seal the whole thing in epoxy, but honestly, that's overkill. For a little extra protection (w/o the hassle of sealing the whole thing) you could paint it.

I'm actually surprised it rotted out to start with. Has the boat been left open a lot? Or constantly put away wet?

Thanks for the advice about the PT plywood and Gluv-it. I'll probably try that approach and then paint the divider blue to match it to the carpet in the boat.

I've only owned the boat since August of this year so I'm not sure how it was kept by its previous owner. All I know about him is that he is an MD and he traded the 190 Signature in on a new 29' Amberjack.

I was told the boat had been kept well when I was being sold it but it turned out that MarineMax had to do quite a bit of work on it to get it ready for me. Also when they delivered it to me there was a big tear in the middle of the cover which I had to fix. After I fixed the cover tear I sprayed the whole thing with 303 water repellent but it still doesn't seem to keep the boat dry so a new cover is probably in my future.

I was surprised the divider had rotted too, and if I hadn't had to remove it to attach my swim platform I never would have even noticed. I'm going to put the old divider back in until I have a chance to make the new one.

I'd also like to find a better way to attach the divider to the boat as right now there are at least 12 screws that attach it to angled braces on the inside of the boat which means it is a PITA to remove. I'd like to change from the screws to some type of secure clamps to make it easier to get to that part of the boat when I have to. Any ideas in that area are also gratefully accepted.

The good news is that the swim platform installation is finally complete, except for replacing the divider, and it looks incredible.

 

[beernutz]

For what its worth, the divider I'm trying to replace. The rotten section is just about what is covered by the table on the right side. You can see the L brackets which attach the divider to the boat. I'd like to leave those screwed into the boat and then attach some type of latch or clasp onto the divider with which to easily attach and detach it from the L brackets.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Well, my first thought would be to use some type of rubber or metal draw latch. I think you'll need something that can pull the board tight to the rest of the boat.

Something like the following (this link was just the first one that came up at Google, to give you an idea): http://www.aboveboardelectronics.com/southco/draw.html

Maybe two barrel bolts to help secure it as an extra precaution?

Another idea. Attach the bottom of the board/divider with hinges so it can lay forward/flat on the floor. Then use the draw latches or barrel bolts to secure it upright.

Just a couple thoughts, off the top of my head.

I will say this: as you cut your new divider, cut the hole to get to the battery as big as you can. It's kind of a pain to access it on the hole that is currently there. My dad has the same boat...

 

[beernutz]

Well, my first thought would be to use some type of rubber or metal draw latch. I think you'll need something that can pull the board tight to the rest of the boat.

Something like the following (this link was just the first one that came up at Google, to give you an idea): http://www.aboveboardelectronics.com/southco/draw.html

Maybe two barrel bolts to help secure it as an extra precaution?

Another idea. Attach the bottom of the board/divider with hinges so it can lay forward/flat on the floor. Then use the draw latches or barrel bolts to secure it upright.

Just a couple thoughts, off the top of my head.

I will say this: as you cut your new divider, cut the hole to get to the battery as big as you can. It's kind of a pain to access it on the hole that is currently there. My dad has the same boat...

Thanks again. I looked at that link and I think something like this would work and its about $7/latch:

The big openings in the bottom of the divider are actually covered by carpet-covered wood pieces which screw into the divider (more screws!). I'd like to eliminate those pieces completely and just have the one divider where it is easy to remove using latches like the ones above in order to get to my batteries.

The divider drops down into its appropriate position into a notch so I don't think an option to have it lay forward is going to work, but that is something to think about.

Thanks again for the suggestions. Its nice to have someone to bounce these ideas off of.

 

[Lazy Daze]

The big openings in the bottom of the divider are actually covered by carpet-covered wood pieces which screw into the divider (more screws!). I'd like to eliminate those pieces completely and just have the one divider where it is easy to remove using latches like the ones above in order to get to my batteries.

Yup. In fact, on my dad's boat, I can't even think back to when those covers were on. Took 'em off when he first got the boat and never put 'em back on.

If you did want to cover the hole: (4) snaps on each corner of the hole and piece of blue canvas. Simple.

 

[beernutz]

Yup. In fact, on my dad's boat, I can't even think back to when those covers were on. Took 'em off when he first got the boat and never put 'em back on.

If you did want to cover the hole: (4) snaps on each corner of the hole and piece of blue canvas. Simple.

Another good idea, thanks!

 

[Lazy Daze]

It's all you! :smt001 It was your idea to make that divider easily removable. I never thought of doing that. You got the thought process started! I'm just adding little tid bits here and there.