List to Starboard

Z

ZoeB

New member
I have had the Zoe B since 2004 and kept her primarily on a trailer or high and dry. Last year I started keeping her at my dock in the water (she has a coat of bottom paint). Recently I noticed a slight list to starboard, but it seems to have increased. Currently I have about 15 gallons of fuel in the port tank and 3 gallons of fuel in the starboard, but there is still a list.

Is it possibly for the core to get water in it? Since it is a 2004 I had tank cleats screwed into the deck, I have since removed those screws and patched the holes.

I realize that there is a balsa core, but I never contemplated the possibility of it getting waterlogged.[/img]
 
Where are the batteries? On my CD22 both batteries are on the starboard side and depending on the fuel, water, and passenger load (or lack of) there can be a noticeable list to starboard when the boat is still. With the driver and batteries on the same side and no water in the tank (opposite side) there can be quite a lateral imbalance in the boat. Also, in the 22 there main internal storage space is also the starboard side (sink/stove cabinet). When moving I often have the trim tabs set differently to counter the list.

While the looking at the boat at the dock the list is noticeable. However, once on the boat the list is not that apparent to people on board (although the people on board can rebalance the boat somewhat).

If I was outfitting a new boat I would put the batteries in the port side to help counter the driver's weight.
 
Batteries are on the starboard side. Pictures of the list are in the Zoe B photo album.

I never noticed it so much as i have for the the last few weeks. I am fine with a weight and balance issue due to loading, just want to rule out water seepage in the balsa core.
 
If the list is increasing but you haven't changed anything (that's how I read your post anyway), then yeah, I'd want to find out what was going on too.

I won't say that waterlogged hull core couldn't create a list, but.... it seems unlikely. There just wouldn't be that much water there (even though just a little is plenty to ruin the core). My first thought was... are there any compartments with built in "flotation" foam? If there are, and they are waterlogged, then I could see that causing a list. Also, that type of foam is usually able to soak up water over time. If there is a big chunk of it... lots of water.

My boat lists to starboard, but it's clear why (former heavy kicker/battery) and more importantly, doesn't increase for no apparent reason.
 
Sunbeam":38uxw4jh said:
If the list is increasing but you haven't changed anything (that's how I read your post anyway), then yeah, I'd want to find out what was going on too.

I won't say that waterlogged hull core couldn't create a list, but.... it seems unlikely. There just wouldn't be that much water there (even though just a little is plenty to ruin the core). My first thought was... are there any compartments with built in "flotation" foam? If there are, and they are waterlogged, then I could see that causing a list. Also, that type of foam is usually able to soak up water over time. If there is a big chunk of it... lots of water.

My boat lists to starboard, but it's clear why (former heavy kicker/battery) and more importantly, doesn't increase for no apparent reason.
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If you installed a incline o meter, you could determine how much lean you are experiencing in terms of degrees.

I put one in both boats and am easily able to get the boat to level when underway. In your case, you could determine just how much lean there is at rest.

One of the great things about these devices is that they are mechanical with no electronics involved. They are also cheap ($15). I think the reason behind the cheap price is that they were not originally made for boats :)
 
Can't explain the 'increasing list' but remember all of the throttle, control and most electrical cables are also on the starboard edge of the boat. The weight is surprisingly significant.
 
I have discovered a few closed spaces in my 19 that have water in them. I drilled a small hole near the bottom of the port & starboard, aft, floatation compartments just forward of the fuel tank bulkheads & was surprised how much water came out. Apparently accumulated water that came in thru the recessed rod holders in the Gunnels above float compartments. Found water in a number of other closed spaces, none of which would cause a list. I'm thinking that water in the core would seek the lowest point over a long period of time & not cause a list unless you have a lot of water coming in on the starboard. I'll be very interested in what you find. Please keep us posted. Vern
 
I will check the flotation on the starboard side fwd of the fuel tank.

I did remove the fuel tanks to clean and re-run the fuel hose. In the process of removing the fuel tanks I filled the holes that were in the on the tank anchors. The only other work that i did was re-seating the rub rail on the starboard side. I do notice that there still is a hair of a gap in the rub rail which allows for water to pass thru from top to bottom.

Will keep you posted on what I figure out.
 
"For me it was the batteries that made me list to starboard."

I have THAT EXACT SAME PROBLEM with my hearing aid, as well! You sure can learn a lot sharing experiences on this site.
97% chance a loading issue; agree with Sunbeam.
Your picture does show more than a trivial list of over 3 degrees using a free download 'clinometer' app in my cellphone...I also use the mechanical kind like Redbaronace, or you can simply attach your cellphone to the cabin wall with some 3M 5200. (JUST KIDDING!).
Did you also re-do/epoxy fill and re-drill your transducer (starboard?) and all other below the waterline hull penetrations like you did the tank cleats? (Many threads on this issue). Water generally doesn't soak into the hull except where there are penetrations. Even then would not expect huge areas or listing in a short period of time. You could pull the boat and check for wet core around those screws. Alternatively, you could hire an experienced marine surveyor to tap around and reassure you (expect $16/ft but you'll learn a lot and have an updated estimated value for current insurance purposes). Any competent contractor would hve primed the bottom with an epoxy primer prior to applying bottom coat that would prevent osmotic blisters/water penetration . I suspect it's a loading issue. Even worst case can wait til the off season to investigate.
Quit obsessing and Go Forth and Enjoy Your Great Boat!
Cheers!
John
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gulfcoast john":9t0zoffq said:
"
97% chance a loading issue; agree with Sunbeam.
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Not that I don't like it when folks agree with me :wink, but just to clarify, I wasn't thinking it was a loading issue in this case. Reason being that ZoeB said the list is increasing, without anything having been changed. That doesn't add up.

I doubt it is hull core moisture, only because even if the hull core were wet, it's not likely to be heavy enough to cause the boat to list noticeably. My guess would be built in flotation foam that is soaking up water (smaller boats are required to have flotation, and often a foam is used that is in enclosed compartments; often that foam is of a type that can absorb water over time.

On my own C-Dory (22), I have starboard list that is due to "permanent" equipment weight, however that list does not increase over time "mysteriously," so that's completely different. (I am looking forward to launching the boat next time because I traded my 110# kicker for a 45# model; will be interesting to see what effect that has.)

Sunbeam
 
From ZoeB's album:

ZoeB_stern_001.jpg
 
Going to pull and check just so i stop stressing. It just does not make sense to me--thought i saw a place behind the rub rail where water penetration was a possibility, just not sure where it would go.
 
I think that's a good idea. Any list that keeps increasing for no apparent reason seems important to check on, figure out, and eliminate the cause of. I'll be interested to see what you find out.
 
You might want to get rid of the rusting screws holding the swim platform up if my eyes are correct that you have a couple of major rust stains running down the stern in that area. Nothing to do with the tilt, but rusty screws can let go at bad times and the rust isn't pretty.
 
Yes, I'd recommend you get those rusting screws out while you can. Are they cheap stainless or just steel? No fun if the heads break off! (Understatement.)

From the looks at the list, I'd guess you have about 150 pounds or more of imbalance from side to side. That's significant. The mystery continues…and deepens!

Good Luck!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Sea Wolf":3qkaj31f said:
From the looks at the list, I'd guess you have about 150 pounds or more of imbalance from side to side. That's significant. The mystery continues…and deepens!
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Perhaps a stowaway....
 
Annoyingly, even "good" stainless rusts (especially) in a hot/salty climate such as Florida. Just one more reason I love bronze. I haven't used bronze all over the C-Dory, because it has so much stainless and it seems to suit the style of the boat, but I did use bronze fasteners instead of stainless for things that are "buried" (away from oxygen) and below the waterline, such as fasteners into the transom such as for the swim platform and trim tabs. (I used Armorcoated steel fasteners for the engine for the extra strength over bronze/stainless.)

I could barely keep up with the stainless polishing when in the tropics. It rusted every time you turned around (even 316 if you gave it time).
 
I drilled a hole in the dead space just fwd of the starboard fuel tank where there is flotation--lots of water came out. The 5/8 in hole drained for quite awhile and the list was corrected. Water (rain) is coming in through some sort of gap under the rub rail, requires further investigation but recreated the issue with a hose. Most likely the daily downpours over the last 2 months caused the increased list--any standing deck water added to the list.

I will pull the rub rail the next time I pull it out. Also going to look at the rust on the ladder--all stainless on the outside, but I bet the marina used some non-stainless washer/backing on the port handle.

Thanks everyone for you input, will post rub rail pictures when I pull it off.

picture in of water drian is in my album.
 
ZoeB. Glad you found the source. I never even considered the rubrail as a possible source. Since our boats are related, I should take a look at mine. Maybe pull my gunnel rod holders & try to see that area inside. I just always assumed water got in around the rubber rod holder caps when they weren't fully seated when washing down. That saturated foam will take awhile to dry out compleatly. Good luck, I'll be watching for your findings.
 
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