Water under deck in transom bilge area

Ashley Lynn

I removed the battery tray (held down by 4 screws) from the bilge area, between the two gas tanks of my 2007 22' cruiser. I was going to replace the tray with an enclosed battery box.

Well, once I removed the screws...water has been steadily leaking "UP" out of the small holes that were created by the 4 screws. I have been using a syringe to continually remove as much of the water as I can.
I plan to seal the screws better than they were initially after I get the water out.

Does anyone know how much water can be under the deck in this area of a 2007----it has the molded in raised cockpit floor?
I do not want to reseal the holes prematurely. If I get out most of the water---will the balsa core be alright?

I am hesitate to drill the holes larger to remove the water. I have seen the references that Dr Bob Austin has suggested to overdrill a hole that is cored..seal with epoxy, then drill the hole. I am a bit paranoid about drilling any holes.

I wish I knew what the hidden areas of my 2007 22' cruiser looked like.
It would be easier to fix/troubleshoot.

Always something to do....good and bad.

I am looking forward to my 1st extended cruise-----the Gulf Coast gathering in October.

Thanks as always.......

Captains Cat · Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:13 pm Post subject:

I think that's why most of us don't like the idea of the molded cockpit.

I can only hazard a guess, hopefully a good one. I would think that the inner liner (the one with the holes in it) is a solid piece of molded FG, no core. The outer hull is the cored part, has core between two pcs of FG. It should be OK as long as whomever drilled the holes in the inner liner didn't pierce the outer one. I would think that tray was put in by whomever rigged your boat, installed engine(s) and batteries.

I'd call them first and ask, it's a new boat... If you're not too far from them, have them come to you. On Edit: Saw you bought your boat from Wefings. I'd call Marc and ask him on the phone, their service is pretty good, at least as it appears here on the site!

Hopefully not a serious problem, let us know, not much experience here with the boats with liners in them.

Charlie

DaveS

Ashley Lynn · Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 5:12 pm Post subject:

My boat is on the trailer. I believe that water got under the raised deck through 2 of the 4 screws (2 were not secure) that were used to mount the battery tray. Once the screws were removed...I noticed water escaping via the holes from below. I suspect there is bilge water below the deck--how much I do not know--that is the question.

I have the boat on the trailer in my sloped driveway and will attempt to wet vac all the water out that I can. Then, reseal.

I have already spoken to Marc, my dealer and he has been very responsive. I believe that it isn't anything major...I just want to make sure I remove as much as the water that I can before I reseal the holes.

DaveS

Ashley Lynn · Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 7:14 pm Post subject:

Thanks Dave.\\

Yes I have read the thread you mention.

Thanks again.

mikeporterinmd · Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 9:27 pm Post subject:

You could try using a shop vac to speed the process along.

Mke

DaveS · Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 11:34 pm Post subject:

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 10:26 am Post subject: Warranty

I would take the boat back to the dealer and ask them to have it professionally repaired, and fixed so that it does not happen again. A 2007 boat is too new for this kind of a problem.

Steve

thataway · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 11:47 pm Post subject:

I agree with proper professional repair--and hope that is what you get. Just sealing, if this is cored, is not enough. I would have the hole drilled out, and then you can see what the core is--if it is balsa, you need to dry it out. Two choices--one is to vacuum bag it, the other is to cut out the wet part and fill with epoxy. The screw should go into epoxy, not into core!!!! Just because the factory did it wrong is no excuse to do it wrong again on repair. There is no sealant which will keep water out of a cored material--espically when you are using a plastic tray. Most of the time silicones are used, and they do not adhere well to the plastic--and eventually if water stands, it will seep into the core--then eventually rot.

I would suspect that the floor of the newer 22's is just like the core of the other decked cockpit boats--balsa core--as is the 25 and TC.

Vacuum bagging will keep suction on this area for a long peroid of time and will get the moisture out--cutting will assure that all moisture is gone.

good luck.

Bob Austin

ffheap · Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 3:52 pm Post subject:

Hi Folks,

I think Steve is right. Back to the dealer and have it professional done.

Try and determine who screwed the plate on without sealing it, if you can, before telling the dealer about it. They may have insurance to cover bad work. I have seen some real bad work done by dealer shops, though I have never had work done by a C-Dory dealer.

This is a good message. When I purchased my C-Dory used, I pulled each and every nut, bolt, and screw I could get at, checked for water, and then rescrewed using a good marine sealer. I am still doing it. I may have some wet core, but the boat runs very well, so I don't worry about it.

Fred

Wefings · Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 3:58 pm Post subject:

Bob, we will all be together in a few weeks at the Gathering and we will take care of it correctly , whichever way we need to .
Marc

Captains Cat · Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 9:58 am Post subject:

Wefings · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 10:57 am Post subject:

Thanks , we try our best to make it easy and fun .
Marc