Thank Rick, yes, that's the frame piece.
FYI that I called Catalina Yachts and talked with Jim McNamara in the engineering department for down in Florida-(727) 547-9814 . He couldn't find a framing as-built drawing, but he guessed that the framing piece might go 2' from center back either side (tapering off with the boat).
If the glass is intact, here is his suggestion:
1. take a core sample, either horizontially from the side or even vertically from the top, using a hole saw of 1-2" (depending on horizontal or vertical).
2. He then recommended using those holes to dig out any rotten wood. Even suggested making a tool that would work to meet this need.
3. then he suggested what they use is a 2-part high density foam. he believe you can get this as part of a westsystem product line. It is a two part syrupy mixture that actually foams up but when it dries, it is super hard.
4. then repair glass, even adding more cloth if necessary. be sure to get the air bubbles out, and gel over
5. I asked him about sistering in another piece of wood, attaching it to the original, and glassing it over. While he said that could be done, that sometimes it creates more problems because the new piece might not flex with the bottom like the old piece, and that could cause issues. He said from an engineering perspective that this 2-part high denisity foam is just as strong.
Also, I cam across this in my search:
http://westsystem.com/ss/assets/HowTo-Publications/Fiberglass-Boat-Repair-and-Maintenance.pdf Thanks everyone!
