How best to protect my boat from rotting.

[QuarterSaver]

I recently bought a 2003 175 Bayliner in nearly perfect condition, and I'd like to keep it that way. My main concern is rotting of the floors, decking, panels, ect. I'm willing to put in the elbow grease, just not sure how worried I should be... I plan to use the boat often and store it indoors (boat house in summer with cover and garage in the winter). I am wondering if I should consider removing carpet and applying epoxy to the flooring and other exposed locations before any water damage can possibly set in?
Any reccomendations on how to keep the boat sound? I am not someone who like to be the cause of their own problems lol, and just looking for a heads up. Thanks and hope to hear from some of you experienced boaters.

 

[Dave.Mishchenko]

Re: How best to protect my boat from rotting.

Welcome to the iboats forum.

You might want to pull the carpet up in a few places to see what the condition of the floor is like. On the 07 - 175 I had they had screwed the frames that held up the chairs into the floor so that was likely a place where water could cause damage down the road. You might also want to check the floor near the rear of the boat where water brought into the boat will tend to drain out last.

If you find that the floor is in good condition then you'll have to decide if you want to replace the carpet and put down some resin or something similar while the carpet is out.

Keeping it stored under cover as you plan will make a huge difference over time. We had stored our in a garage when not in use. The last few years I started putting a fan in the boat to blow across the floor to help it dry out a bit faster.

 

[NYBo]

Re: How best to protect my boat from rotting.

Welcome to iboats!

Your boat was made after the Bayliner debacle of the mid-80s to mid-90s, so you're already in better shape than some of us. Your storage plan will also help immensely, not to mention saving the upholstery from ultraviolet damage.

Check the edges of the sole (a.k.a. "deck") around the ski locker opening. Even if it was properly sealed at the factory, the wear from removing and replacing the cover can wear the resin away, leaving the area vulnerable.

 

[QuarterSaver]

Re: How best to protect my boat from rotting.



Hey guys thanks for the welcoming replys and info.
I did some close checking on the current condition of the floors and found a few small cracks in the gelcoat in the battery compartment. As you can see in the pic they look like they were caused by overtightening of the attachment screws for the wire retainers and such... Yikes was my first thought!
However I think they are only in the top coat, and underneath is wood. I am going to use Brightside enamel and repaint the area, it is what the local sail boat store reccomended, and suggested it maybe better than applying another gelcoat, in fear of it cracking again.
What do you think? Any past experience with this type of cracking.

 

[NYBo]

Re: How best to protect my boat from rotting.

I would reinforce the area with fiberglass cloth and resin, then paint it.

 

[QuarterSaver]

Re: How best to protect my boat from rotting.

Thanks for that recomending the cloth, I didnt think to do that. For now I just used the paint on the area and it came out looking great. But doing it makes me want to paint the entire engine compartment and bildge areas! But I will see how the summer use affects the cracking, and if it looks like it gets any worse, I will glass the area in the fall and repaint. Thanks, seeya.

 

[jkust]

Re: How best to protect my boat from rotting.

This to me is paranoia. I also have a Bayliner amongst my boats but it is an 84 in nearly perfect condition yet it is all original...carpet and all and it falls with in the bad reputation years meaning everything is low quality. Here's how easy it was to keep it like it came from the boat show where we ordered it. No shoes ever, no sun exposure ever when not being used, literally tarp right back on while on the boat lift at the end of the day no matter how tired you are or how sore you are from skiing or how bad the bugs are biting you, stored outside almost that entire time in northern MN so don't let snow get into it, store it with the tounge angeled up and obviously plug out. The biggest reason that it is in such unbelievable shape is because of the no sun when not in use. Most every boat I see of our vintage is an absolute, embarassing piece of sun damaged garbage and there are seemingly thousands and thousands of them. We've gone through a new boat specific, storage tarp at least every other year and sometimes every year. Keeping a recreational fresh water boat in pristine shape takes the slightest bit of effort and common sense even when they are stored outdoors in a harsh climate.

 

[NYBo]

Re: How best to protect my boat from rotting.

I also have a Bayliner amongst my boats but it is an 84 in nearly perfect condition yet it is all original...carpet and all and it falls with in the bad reputation years meaning everything is low quality.

Yours was built before the "Dark Ages" of Bayliner quality. But your care plan hits the nail on the head.

 

[QuarterSaver]

Re: How best to protect my boat from rotting.

As with anything I suppose, it takes some love to keep it nice and in good condition. Glad to hear a sucess story from a Bayline owner. Thanks, and I'll keep an eye out for that pestering sun damage.