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I have recently obtained an old Striper/bass boat. The floor in the hull is very sound, but the casting platforms and aft fishing platform is very soft. this concerns me because I am a fat guy. As I am working on the tear down I have discovered that these decks are hollow with a balsa wood rib system like corrigated cardboard that has long since rotted away, accounting for teh sponginess. I am thinking that the easiest fix would be spray foam in between the decks. this should give me more rigidity and actually buoyancy, but if that part is in the water I am already pretty screwed. The only drawback I can see is running wiring, and I am sure I will have to come up with some alternative wire installations. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
I own a Striper as well. I also live in Louisiana as well.
My striper is a 17ft. model but does not have the deck you are talking about. Mine looks just like a Montauk but is the side console. I don't know where exactly in Louisiana you live, but if you want to let me know and you live close enough by, maybe I can take a look at it with you and help come up with some ideas.
I'm actually leaving in the morning to go to Florida where I am selling my Striper and buying a Montauk. I posted earlier that I took some pics of the Striper and will be posting them. Maybe they might be helpful to your project.
