Another tank floor job (photos) Battery Box ??s

[CaptScottNC]

Well I'm started up my first major project on this boat after just installing my trim tabs. I've pulled the tank which was corroded and had a dime sized hole on the starboard side that was being covered by the foam keeping the fuel from spilling. I did noticed some gas smell in the bilge so good timing on pulling the tank although I suspect it has been seeping fuel for some time before I even purchased it but probably not known to the owners before. So I'm getting a new tank coming.... OUCH! Now I knew the floor was already soggy from reaching under the tank and started pulling that up. The floor had a ton of flex when walking on it and I'll attach a string of photos because we all like photos. I decided once I was down there and could get around in there to go ahead and move the batteries into the console storage area. So I'm replacing the battery cables and switch with all new and shrink wrapping all connections so I hope to get many many years of trouble free use out of them. Here's the photos of the floor coming out. You can see there wasn't much in the way of good wood left anywhere.










OK now here is my battery box question. I noticed the "knee" that comes from the transom to the side of the fishbox and then connects somewhat to the stringer was loose. I peeled back the glass that was holding the floor in and that pulled up some of the glass on that knee revealing what you see here.




So my question is the soft wood under the battery box is not of "structural importance" is it? The wood is not soft on the sides but it's detached where it would attach to the floor and it doesn't appear to be ever have been well attached to where it connects to the stringer. Just curious what feedback you guys have on the wood under the battery box. Thanks for the help.

[Capt Chuck]

So my question is the soft wood under the battery box is not of "structural importance" is it?

Rip it all out capt. There is NO structural support here.

[CaptScottNC]

Thanks for the reply Cap. So if I understand all the photos I've seen in all my browsing... if I cut through that vertical support and remove it carefully and the rip out the battery box and then I pull out the glass layer and wood underneath the battery box. When it's all cleaned up I should be left with another layer of orginal glass and resin that makes up the inner side of the hull at this point? All this wood should be separated by other layers of glass from the hull correct? Thanks for the info.

[Capt Chuck]

CaptScott

You are right. Below are two pictures showing before and after battery box removal. The outside battery box walls are the stringers. These should help you get the idea

BEFORE



AFTER