Rebuilding a splashwell

[SBTOM]

Sorry for the lengthy post here, but I'm really in over my head. I recently bought an 1984 Trophy center console to fix up and make into a (somewhat) seaworthy fishing boat. I had it out a few times last weekend and overall I was pretty pleased with how it handled, especially after hearing horror stories about the stability of the older bayliners. One thing that I did notice (besides one of my batteries catching fire) is that the splashwell sits super low in the water and has a tendency to take on water. The boat itself tends to ride pretty heavy towards the transom and I'm not sure whether I will be able to change that. I moved the batteries up into the center console to compensate a little bit, but I'm still left with some water getting into the splashwell and it definitely seeps into the bilge through the access hatches etc. Therefore, I have resigned myself to rebuilding the whole splash well in such a way that it will atleast be sealed. The floor seems to be a single layer of woven glass over 1/2" ply with a sprayed chop backer and its in fairly good shape. I'm thinking that some 4oz. directional and a coat or two of gel would do the trick? I'm also going to have to put in some new access hatches so if anyone has any input on what works really well I would definitely appreciate it. The forward barrier into the deck is what really has me thinking... It had a fiberglass panel that attached on both sides of the splashwell. I know that it wasn't the factory solution because it came down right in the middle of one of the acess hatches. (see exhibit A) Is there a reason that this peice needs to be detachable? Could I just glass in a peice of 3/4" ply and gel coat it? Or would I be better of keeping it removable and maybe going with some breakformed stainless?

 

[jonesg]

Re: Rebuilding a splashwell

I think the transom is wet and heavy, mine was full of water.
Someone added one of those hatches, obvious by the different color.
Or the foam is drenched and affecting the way it sits in the water.

I notice it has a doel fin, more evidence it might be wet and heavy at the transom end.

I would finish up the season if you want to use it then investigate it further with a drill.

 

[SBTOM]

Re: Rebuilding a splashwell

Thanks for the advice. As anxious as I am to get out catch some fish, I'd rather have it done right. (I'm bummed to be missing on the Tuna though!) I ended up pulling out all of the fittings in the transom to see whether I could find signs of moisture and noticed that the inlet for the bait tank was kind of suspect. I'm a little wary of starting to drill holes before I have a definite plan of action though... I went out into the shop and dug up an old analog moisture meter that uses a needle as opposed to a digital reading. (I took a picture just to give you an idea of how old we are talking about here) Do you think that I could just put in a couple of exploratory 1/32" holes and jam that thing in there or would I need actual core samples get a feel for the condition of the transom? Thanks-

 

[SBTOM]

Re: Rebuilding a splashwell

There didn't seem to be an excessive amount of moisture towards the back of the boat, so I decided to proceed with plan A.... haven't had too much time to do the glass work because I've been trying to wrap my head around rewiring the center console. I did manage to lay up a beefy sandwhich (glass, .5" plywood, glass, .5" plywood, glass) to seperate the splashwell from the deck. I went heavy duty, because after I get the floor cut out and refit, I'm going to install a flip-up bait prep table that will hinge off of this new wall. Does anyone have experience using plastics for this type of thing? I'm hoping that there is a material that has a kind of grip texture that I could use for the table. Heres a couple of before and after shots... as of right now, the glass is just the way that I laid it up so I have a ton of sanding ahead of me