What's under the floor?

[keokie]

The grid of the floor creates some structural integrity. I wouldn't go chopping it up. Also, I'll bet an ice cold beer there is foam in that cavity. I have been through a number of 80's sea rays, and they used the stuff everywhere. I talked to a sea ray employee years ago that said they did it to eliminate the collection of fumes, provide sound deadening and add structural integrity. He said flotation had nothing to do with it.

RobF300?

 

[berth control]

Thanks for the advice Kieoke - I am going to rev up my holesaw and take a look. Not for a couple days though, when it gets warmer here in MI

by the way - I am not planning on ripping into the floor, just the areas I mentioned. I know the floor should be left alone

 

[tobnpr]

I can tell you that the area under the salon floor on mine is filled with foam. Pulled the fridge to install hardwood in the galley and found a section of the plywood floor that had rotted from the helm area that (used to before I fixed it) leaked. Cut out that section and it was all foam underneath, fortunately dry as a bone...

It's there for sound deadening as far as I know- no floatation requirements on boats over 20' per CFR 183.101.

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2004/julqtr/pdf/33cfr183.105.pdf

 

[berth control]

Thanks for the reply and the link Topher - appreciated.

I am surprised to read that there are no flotation requirements for my boat, but I guess it would take an awful lot of foam to float that thing if it got swamped. Looks like the guy that sold it to me was wrong. That is good to hear though, it means if I decide to take on the project, I can make storage for more stuff. Maybe a spot for life jackets that isn't under the v berth or my computer, whatever. There is always a need for more storage on board!

 

[Vince_nj1]

I like your attitude. Just like Larry Kudlow would say. DRILL DRILL DRILL!

Good luck, and we'll see you at the bottom! :grin:

 

[dpmulvey]

If you are worried about using a hole saw, get an "X/Y" inch bit and get a fiber optic camera from your local homedepotlowes. They have come down a bunch in price. If you hit foam it will come up the thread in the drill.

IRT your question. Saint Max has two access panels in the deck of the salon. The entire area below the foward berth is storage as is 2/3rds of the area below the aft berth. I'm sure there is more, I just haven't looked as my cruising needs do not require more storage than I have now.

Good Luck!