Need help with repairs 2003 24v

[Bsevans5]

Looking for direction on a few things with the 2003 (thought it was a 2004 when I bought it and later found out its a 2003) 24v I have. This is my 3rd season. Last season the rear center hatch broke. Someone must have stepped on it in a weak spot. Doesn't open or close properly. I need to rebuild it.

What material do I use as the "core"? Before having it upholstered...or would you recommend just gel coating it and putting foam on the top?

I tried replacing the wood in the centet of the floor that goes over the fuel tank. I got marine plywood and then put several coats of resin to seal it. It seems warped or something because it doesnt sit flat. It "rocks" depending on where you step. What should I do?

I saw a post where someone had a stainless steel one made. I can weld, but not tig.

Once I get that figured out i need to replace the carpet. Bought some over a year ago and havent been able to get to it, otherwise I may try to go the route of epoxying the floor and doing foam.

Any help is appreciated. At some point I need to re-do the carpetecarpeted boat rests on while on the trailer. Its got gel coat cracks all over.

I bought it thinking if we liked boating we'd sell it and get something newer, but value bombed right after we got it and we're upside down, so im stuck trying to fix it up

[h2o-ski]

In regards to your engine hatch, there are options, starboard, coosa or even wood. Starboard is hdpe while coosa is fiberglass reinforced polyurethane, both will not rot.

For your fuel tank cover, what I would do is get out the sander and sand the wood to make it sit flat. Although if you replace your carpet with EVA foam (seadek) , any variances in floor will be seen.

[Bsevans5]

In regards to your engine hatch, there are options, starboard, coosa or even wood. Starboard is hdpe while coosa is fiberglass reinforced polyurethane, both will not rot.

For your fuel tank cover, what I would do is get out the sander and sand the wood to make it sit flat. Although if you replace your carpet with EVA foam (seadek) , any variances in floor will be seen.

Thanks for the reply. which option do you think is best for the back hatches? is one more durable than the other? better at weight bearing? easier to upholster?

If I replace the flooring with foam instead of carpet, I'd likely need to coat it in something. I've seen people use some sort of epoxy while others have talked about gel coating. Which would you recommend and why?