Boat listing on mooring

CaptainRon · Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 9:00 pm Post subject:

Hi Rich,
To answer your questions, yes, I did find a lot of water that remained in the area of the second inspection port (behind the main cabin bulkhead). I removed it with a shop vac and a sponge. However, water continued to collect there for several days. The foam was still intact but I was able to remove some of the foam from the side of the floor area for examination purposes. It was totally water logged. I squeezed the water out, just like a sponge. I left the piece of foam sit on my work bench and it was completely dry the next day. By the way, the foam did not look like the two part foam I've previously used in marine applications. I also believe that more water is trapped on the other side of the stringer and that's probably the water I continue to remove from the rear inspection port area. As for cutting holes in the floor, it's the only way I know to introduce enough cross flow so air can be forced into the cavity to promote drying of the foam.
At this time, we have seen no water in the vicinity of the front inspection port and just a small amount around the rear one. I do like the recommendation you received from the gentleman at the factory. If I had not underestimated the amount of water under the floor, I would have installed one inspection port in just that location. Good luck with your repair.

Rich · Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 11:50 pm Post subject:

Thanks Captain Ron for the information it has been very
helpful for me and I'm sure other owners dealing with this factory
defect. I'm kind of torn between hauling the boat and working
on the problem or spending another month on the water. This
boat really extends the New England season and I'm loving the
fall.

breausaw · Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 1:50 am Post subject:

I jacked up the front of the trailer tonight and drilled a ¼” hole into the liner through the drain hole....Low and behold a steady stream of water started coming out but stopped with only about ½ gallon in the bucket I placed below the drain hole.
Figure the reason I didn’t get much water was because my boat always has the camper back zipped up on it when parked in the yard, and with the stern down, and when we're out on the water the canvas top never comes off.
I enlarged the hole to ½ inch with a wood bit, only thing I had that would chuck up in the drill extension. Not sure why I did that...now I’ll have to figure out a way to plug her up.
So with that done I’m content to just periodically pull the liner plug occasionally throughout the season and check for water. I don’t think the amount of water that came out caused any damage under the liner, heck it could have been just an accumulation from condensation for that matter.
What the factory should have done is allowed for some ventilation on top of the liner up under the gunwales, maybe there are.
At this point I’m satisfied things are hunky-dory.
Jay

Papillon · Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 9:47 am Post subject:

See there Jay, PMA....works.

Positive Mental Attitude

breausaw · Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 1:38 pm Post subject:

Rich · Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 7:51 pm Post subject:

Jay I think your 1/2" hole will allow you to epoxy in a good drain
plug so I wouldn't regret drilling the hole. I think it's important you get
that plugged up maybe less in your case since you run with canvas up.
I do a lot of fishing so don't keep my cockpit covered. I would still think about an inspection hatch just to air it out and see what's in there.
But that's me I tend to be cautious. Anyway lad your doing well. Take care.

Bill3558 · Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2009 4:00 pm Post subject:

I had the same problem until I turned my steering wheel and let the motor rest the other way when it was trimmed up out of the water. It shifts the weight considerably to the other side.

Problem solved.

Rich · Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2009 9:17 pm Post subject:

Bill my motor is always straight on the mooring but thanks for the input