Soft Spot on Seafarer Deck

[ghcpa9]

I'm looking into a used grady, specifically a 1990 seafarer with 1994 power. I spoke with the dealer at the marina and he told me that there is a soft spot on the deck about 2 feet in diameter, suspecting it is rotten plywood under the deck. First, I was not aware that grady had plywood under the deck? Second, does this seem like an impossible and expenseive project if I did buy it? It's going for a good price and negotiable so I'm wondering if it makes sense. Anyone ever undertake this project? Am I wasting my time? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[gw204]

Is the soft spot in the cover over the gas tank (removable) or is it to the side of that cover. Both can be repaired, but replacing the core in the tank cover is significantly easier/less expensive.

 

[striped bass]

The is an expensive and difficult repair. My neighbor has rotten deck panels that are over the gas tanks in his Grady White. Just to remove and repair the deck panels is $2,000. That is not taking into consideration what other problems (rotten stringers, rotted gas tanks) will be uncovered once the deck panels are removed. If the Seafarer deck is rotten then that is a whole different ball game because the deck has to be cut out and fitted back in whereas deck panels are removable.
Yes, Grady does have wood core under the decks. Unfortunately Grady builds in automatic deck failure because their manufacturing plant in Greenville directly puts the screws into the deck without properly embedding them. Consequently water enters under the deck at the screw head and saturates the wood core with water. Rot soon takes over. Very common problem with Grady White boats.
You may want to have a fiberglass specialist inspect under the deck to see what other expensive surprises may await you and if this is really the boat for you.

 

[ghcpa9]

Thanks for the responses, guys. Think I'll keep looking.