Is it normal for condensation to cause damaging water under a floor?

[wickware]

Can condensation cause damaging water under a floor? At the start of this season about 3 month ago I drained about 2 gallons of water from under the floor. I would have pulled the plug earlier or possibly left it out if I had known water was developing. Now, after 18 hours of fishing, I have not gotten a drop of water from under the floor. Since 1985 I have known water was getting in w/o finding a source. It has cost me a soft spot in the floor over the years in the rear due to storing with the front elevated to drain any water that gets under the tarp.

Is pumping rigid foam (?Great Stuff? from Home Depot) in the soft area for support an alternate vs tearing out the floor? My removed sample plugs shows the floor?s damage. I would like to know the construction under the 1969, 14? Raycraft?s floor. I feel most of the water has been is in the deep ?V? in the center but due to the angle of storage, a soft spot is in the back. Attached is a temp fix to the soft spot and support to rear seat. Please share some opinions from your experiences.

JOW

 

[Mark42]

Re: Is it normal for condensation to cause damaging water under a floor?

Condensation is not going to cause a few gallons of water to show up in the bilge. I agree you have a leak somewhere. If the plugs you drilled are rotten, generally the whole floor and the stringers are replaced. But before you do any repairs, do some test bore holes in the transom from the inside to look for rot there too. Rotten floors and rotten transoms go together.

I would avoid any patches like using home foam products, but if you just want to get another season out of it before buying another boat, and the rot is not causing a critical structural problem, then go for it.

 

[redfury]

Re: Is it normal for condensation to cause damaging water under a floor?

I concur. You have a hull leak somewhere. Might be a good idea to lift the boat off the trailer and give it a good inspection and see where the damage is before it does become a safety issue. It could be in an are that is supporting a stringer and cause structural damage if you hit a wave the wrong way...then your sunk.

Any foam under the deck is definitely holding water right now, so that's going to be the bigger issue than the rotten decking...any fix is going to be temporary until you get that wet foam out ( if you do indeed have foam, considering the age of the boat ).

Also, test your transom strength. If you have water damage on the floor in the rear, then there's high potential for transom rot over the years from the standing water also.

Never leave the plug in the boat unless it's in the water...period.

 

[wickware]

Re: Is it normal for condensation to cause damaging water under a floor?

Thanks for the replies. You have made some good points that relate to my future with the boat. Comments:

1. Since 85 the starter boat has been used about 5-8 short water dist fishing trips per year only vs joy rides or family etc.

2. I have pressure tested, visually looked for any sources the floor?s cavity could get water and sealed a few floor areas.

3. At this point I feel in 2-3 years or at any major need, I will replace the boat or retire from maintaining a boat. Tired!

4. I have been totally puzzled over fishing 6-12 hours and not find a drop of water or to find a quart of water.

5. The only sizeable amounts came from sitting over the winter with the floor?s plug in and bilge plug always out stored.

6. This led to inspecting the floor closer as a source with no real luck and regretting not pulling both plugs over the years.

7. The transom did have some soft decay due to lack of sealing at the top and I removed, sealed and reinforced with Al.

8. The design stops the center rear floor before it gets to the transom, which requires the small floor and major bilge plugs.

9. The inspection holes are not showing 100% signs of foam and I am not feeling extra weight moving the boat by hand??

JOW