A little Dry Rot with Foam Underneath

[MichaelRouseRN]

I just purchased this 1988 Sea Ray Seville. I've already had the trailer done and now am getting the engine and outdrive worked on. When I bought it I noticed a little dry rot between the rear box (seating area) and transom. It is roughly 1ft x 2ft. I don't think it has gone under the seat box since when I tap I don't hear a thud, I hear a hollow sound (thank you iboat forum for that info). The rest of the deck is the same, nice hollow sound.

My idea is to cut close enough to the box but still giving me room to work, up to the point that I've pulled back the fiber glass and over giving me enough room to work. Treat marine grade ply with water sealer, then re-glass. Does that sound right? I took a small piece of foam and have soaked it for 2 hours in a glass of water to see if it was closed cell or open (1988???). It isn't saturated and I can only express a little bit of water. It didn't feel wet when I pulled it up near the worst part of the dry rot. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[oops!]

Re: A little Dry Rot with Foam Underneath

hi.......welcome to iboats.

i think we need more info on this one....like pics.

do you mean the jump seats in the back?
if so....chances are that the rot started somewhere near the battery box and traveled....
the foam will be dry on top ....but not on the bottom.....take a pvc pipe....and do a core sample of the foam.
this will tell you the condition of the foam....

the rays are really great boats....but an 88 is suspect to rot.

the way you describe the repairs will work.....but there is a far better way....very easy and permanent.

i dont have time to type it all out right now as im on the work puter...

im sure some of the other guys will jump in and get you on track

 

[MichaelRouseRN]

Re: A little Dry Rot with Foam Underneath

Thanks for the advice. I'm such a newb I don't even know how to add a picture but the area is the seat directly behind the drivers seat. They face back to back. It is between that seat box and the battery box. Once I get it back from the shop, I'll have a better look and do the core test as you described. Thanks again.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: A little Dry Rot with Foam Underneath

Here's how to post your pics...

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=410147

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: A little Dry Rot with Foam Underneath

Welcome to iboats! Check out my Sea Ray restoration thread link in my Sig. Mine is a 95 and was really rotten.

 

[MichaelRouseRN]

Re: A little Dry Rot with Foam Underneath

Friscoboater

Wow, that was impressive. I appreciate the help but am now even more freaked out. I guess I won't know what I'm getting in to until I get the floor cut out and see how far and deep it goes. I'm praying to God that it's local to the area described.

I'm still having trouble adding pictures even after the advice of WoodonGlass. I'm usually pretty good about the technical dork stuff but this seems to be kicking my butt.

The boat is still at the service shop getting the motor and out drive looked at. Hoping to have it back by middle of next week then I can get in to that floor.

Frustrating, what do they say about a "good" deal!!! I'm a disabled Iraqi War Vet and just wanted something to get me back on track but hell I guess it will be a project instead. Thanks again for the help.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: A little Dry Rot with Foam Underneath

If you want me to help you post some pics send me a PM with your Phone # and I'll call you and walk you thru it.

 

[MichaelRouseRN]

Re: A little Dry Rot with Foam Underneath



Here is the area that I discovered the soft area. I pulled back the fiberglass and this was the only area I found......so far. It is just aft of the rear facing drivers side seat to approximately midway to the battery box. I won't get the boat back from the shop for a week or so but when I do I will definitely send you my number. I appreciate everyones help.

 

[iCam]

Re: A little Dry Rot with Foam Underneath

Where are you located? If your in my area, I will be more than glad to help out a dis-abled vet with some free labor!

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: A little Dry Rot with Foam Underneath

Michael,

I want to tell you how very Proud I am of you and your service and sacrifice for our Country. Men like you are an honor to work withe here on the Forum. I am always a PM, Phone Call or anything else, away from being "At Your Service"

Thank your for all you have done for me and Mine!!!

 

[GT1000000]

Re: A little Dry Rot with Foam Underneath

First off, Welcome to Iboats...
Second, Thank you for your service to this great Nation of ours! God Bless and Godspeed!
Third, I, too would like to offer any support I can.
Gus

 

[MichaelRouseRN]

Re: A little Dry Rot with Foam Underneath

I appreciate everyone's offers and assistance. That is what make this nation so great. I'm located just North of San Diego. When I get the boat from service. I'll repost and see where we go from there. Thanks to everyone!

Mike

 

[MichaelRouseRN]

Re: A little Dry Rot with Foam Underneath

Here is an update and a question. The good news is that the motor and outdrive are both in great condition for a boat that hasn't seen water in 9 years. The compression test was 185 or greater on all 6 cylinders. There was not water, corrosion, cracks or other things that would cause harm to the motor or outdrive. I'm getting the annual service done plus new belts, bellows, resealing the trim ram and a new control box (that was the major issue since it didn't want to shift in gear).

I also learned a little trivia about my white mercruiser outdrive. I found out that Sea Ray only made white outdrives in 1988. They were black before and after. Something about brunswick buying them or something, not real sure but everything was original.

The bad news is I still haven't gotten in to the deck since the service department still has the boat. I know for sure that at a minimum I'll need to patch a 2 x 2 sq ft section and then reglass the mid section which covers the fuel tank. Right now it doesn't appear to have been glassed and is only being held down with screws. I have been told not to glass over the fuel tank part of the deck but to just recut ply, put resin on it and then screw it back on but that doesn't sound right? Any advise would be great.

The other question I have is I've researched all the marine and fiberglass shops in San Diego and no one carries 1/4 in chopped strand. They have kitty hair and I was told by the shop that it will be the same. I checked several places online to order but the shipping charge is twice as much as the chopped strand. My question is can I use the kitty hair with hardener to fill the areas around my patch and if I'm told to glass in the area over the fuel tank fill in the gaps as well? Of course the patch and new ply over the fuel tank will have been glassed using the instructions that are on the tips page.

Thanks again everyone. Still crossing fingers that it will be an easy fix. Deck is solid, except for the small area and tap test sounded good. Will to a drill test once I get it back.

Mike

 

[GT1000000]

Re: A little Dry Rot with Foam Underneath

Kitty Hair, Monkey Fur, Gnarly Knapp...basically finely chopped mat, but make sure it is not pre-mixed with any resin, just dry fluffy stuff...OR...

If you have Chopped Strand Mat, just use scissors, and spend a little time chopping your own...that's what the stuff is, just cut by a machine and packaged...

As far as screwing the wood back over the tank area...

My concern would be whether it was done right to begin with and the previous screws were put in with a sealant to prevent the wood underneath from getting rot...if it is OK, then if you go the same route, make sure to use 3M 4200 or 5200 sealant on the screws before putting them back...you might also want to fill the old holes with PB, then re-drill for the new screws...

Also, you never use "JUST RESIN"...you must use CSM and cloth, or the resin will crack and allow water intrusion...think of resin like a glue and the mat and cloth provide the strength...

Glad to hear the drive is working out OK. That is some really good compression...

Finally, a "TAP" test can be very decieving...do not judge the soundness of the underlying wood by a tap test...
It may sound solid even with rotten wood inside...Core samples are the only sure way to know...make sure they are as down low as possible...

Regards,
GT1M

 

[MichaelRouseRN]

Re: A little Dry Rot with Foam Underneath

This stuff was all premixed so I'm glad I didn't pick it up. I'll just cut up some CSM. I wasn't going to just resin the ply, I'm going to use CSM and 1708. I was just trying to keep it short but thanks for catching that just incase. I agree that a tap test isn't the best so once I get the boat from the shop, I'll drill a couple of holes, run PVC down to the bottom for core testing and then drill test the stringers. That's what's great about this forum, is I didn't know how to do that a couple of weeks ago. I just keep reading threads and learning more but also continue to ask a lot of questions so I don't screw my boat up. Thanks for the advice.

Mike