[muffbro]

I bought this 1985 Bahner  this past June...its been taken good care of by the original owner,  my only concern is the deck flexes.

I had a 1978 Rebelcraft 18' as my last boat and could hold a dance on that deck... this one no way. I have not been able to get a lot of info on the web concerning this issue and was wondering if anyone had  any info regarding Bahner hulls. It does not look as if there is anything missing from under the dash / bow.   Any thoughts??

Thanks for the consideration...

[riptide84]

I have an 84 Bahner and under my dash there are two pieces of plywood that are bolted to the stringers and run the rest of the length of the stringers up into the bow. One of them came loose once and I sure noticed the deck flex right away. I can take pictures of them if you would like. 

[lbhsbz]

My '83 bahner has a pretty flexy deck.  Both of the ribs are gone.  I just make a point to stay close to edge if i go on it.

[BIG JOHNSON]

Run it.

Sent from DROID RAZR MAXX HD

[muffbro]

I have an 84 Bahner and under my dash there are two pieces of plywood that are bolted to the stringers and run the rest of the length of the stringers up into the bow. One of them came loose once and I sure noticed the deck flex right away. I can take pictures of them if you would like. 

That would be cool. if there is 'something missing' id like to know...

Thanks

[riptide84]

Hope these help...Let me know

[muffbro]

THX for the phots Rip....

mine has a floor that runs all the way to the nose...stringers can't be seen unless you open the door to the ski locker, but I can see how that would stiffen the deck considerably.

I can't see where there was any past repairs or holes where they may have been attached at some point like on yours, so im thinking it did not come with them.... there is no stress cracks or crazing on any of the deck surfaces, so it may just be " what it is".  In the meantime, i'll stay to the sides if I need to go on the deck.

THX again for the photos

[riptide84]

anytime Muff 

Ka0tyk- That is the route I would go too. It looks really clean and contains everything. It gets old trying to hold jackets and other crap with one foot and trying to drive at the same time!  hahaha

[muffbro]

skip all the nonsense with bolting or screwing things to the stringers... glass in a bulkhead.  its really the only way to tie in everything.

measure and cut a 3/4" plywood piece



tab it in with fiberglass (if you can paint, you can glass...) all the way around.



slap some carpet over it.  it'll make a *HUUUUGE* difference in your deck and how your boat rides.  its simple and easy to do, you'll have somewhere to install some speakers if you want, and it'll keep all the crap under the deck from constantly flying out back at you.

I can see how that's the way to go, and I have done some minor fiberglass work in the past.  QUESTION

I have a floor where you have hull and stringer, I'm going pull the carpet and see what type of flooring and how it is fastened. And for my particular application / Since I have a floor would it be OK to attach ( tab ) it to the floor with "L" type brackets and glass it in that way instead of cutting the floor to get to the hull or is that the point; to attach to the new bulkhead to the stringers like in your photos?

Am I making any sense??   

[muffbro]

skip the brackets, once its glassed it will be plenty strong enough.  boats flex and twist... screws and bolts only elongate holes and eventually strip out.  just cut your bulkhead to accommodate the floor, and then "tab" it around at the edges.  tabbing is where you take like a 4" strip of fiberglass and in an L shape glass it to the piece and the floor/hull.

Ok; I see what you mean now on the tabbing. I'm going to buy 3/4" marine plywood for the bulkhead,....when you lay the glass is it better to be a little generous with the resin or is that counter productive where the floor meets the edge?  Also.....should I just leave the rest of the bulkhead 'raw' or maybe shoot some paint on it and carpet it or glass both sides???

 I re-glassed my rear seat mounts a few weeks ago.... had some water damage.... and was going to use the same resin BUT...... Another question answered by your photo...use epoxy resin.

ok good deal.... when I'm done with the rebuilding the carb.......rewiring the trailer....rebunking the trailer......rebuilding the surge brakes...it should be about March...
 Thanks for the info.

[muffbro]

Ok, so I'm thinking: coat the bulkhead in poly ..( cheaper but will be a little more water resistant than raw plywood) then use epoxy for the actual installation.  And I'll follow the advice re: technique

Thanks, and I'll follow up with pics during the process.....