SportCraft... Defective flotation?

[Cricket Too]

Does anybody out there know if older SportCrafts had a problem with their flotation getting saturated with water? I have a 1983 17' center console and it sits real low in the stern. I have found that the foam is saturated with water, but I can't find any reason why. The boat has always been trailered and always sat nice in the water until about 2 years ago. There are no cracks anywhere in my hull and there is never any water sitting in the bilge because it is always on a trailer. I have seen some similar models with the same problem and thought it may be common for these models. Any insights would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: SportCraft... Defective flotation?

bump^

 

[JasonJ]

Re: SportCraft... Defective flotation?

Do you store it in the elements, or do you keep it covered when not in use? Rain water can creep in through poorly sealed screws in the floor and deck, and it adds up quick. Does it have an outboard? the bolts holding on could be leaking, any other bolts or screws below the waterline could be leaking. Also, check the hull, and scrapes or gouges that expose figerglass can wick water into the foam. You just have to go over it with a fine tooth comb. The fun part is you may never get the water out of the foam, which means you get to remove the foam and pour in new foam. Good luck...

 

[lakeman1999]

Re: SportCraft... Defective flotation?

If the foam is saturated with water, it is imposible to dry it out. It will never dry out. You can lay it in the hot sun for years, and it will not dry out. Styrafoam is the best insulater available, and the suns heat never penetrates it.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: SportCraft... Defective flotation?

Lake, correct me if I am wrong, but when they started using foam the used an open cell type then once wet would never dry out and then they moved to a closed cell which does not absorb water. Is that right? Any idea when the switchover happened?

 

[Scuba Steve]

Re: SportCraft... Defective flotation?

Most boat companies didnt switch foam untill the early/mid 90's. Honestly I would go through and remove all the old foam....screwdrivers and paint scrapers work well lol. Then use something that eats what ever is remaining ie laquer thinner or something along those lines. I am coating the inside of my hull with a urea coating, very similar to rhino liner yet it blocks water. Then I will use a 2 part foam to refill the floor. Also an FYI on the smaller sport craft they have an inspection port (pie eye) in the aft corners of the boat. If you actually put a hatch there you can move your batteries to either side of the stern. I am doing a full refit on an 88 160 fisherman. Ill have pics up soon.

 

[bowhuntrrl]

Re: SportCraft... Defective flotation?

I have the same problem. Soon I will be pulling the floor panel, the gas tank and try to dig out the wet foam. It's not going to be easy because there are so many hard to reach corners, nooks and crannies. I had to drop down to a 15 pitch prop just to get the boat to plane with an 85 horse Suzuki !!!

 

[r_faile86]

Re: SportCraft... Defective flotation?

Hey guy, I just bought a 2100 sprint cuddy cabin by sport craft and have noticed a flotation issue while at mid to top speed. The boat rides like you have 9 people on the passenger side, almost a foot lower. People have asked me about gas being full and the water tank....but they are all centered. Some have even said that the hull might have a warp in it or the deck on the back could be dragging. I dont think any of this could be true.....it sat in the water for 2 years before I bought it btw. Im going to check the stirofoam in the boat like you guys have mentioned.

Are trim tabs a reasonable fix for this or just a pricy band-aid?

Thanks,
Ryan Faile
South Carolina

 

[scamoot]

Re: SportCraft... Defective flotation?

i am reflooring my 78 c-gull and luckily most of the satuarted foam is already out of the hull by the previous owner and the remaining foam is under the bow and it is really saturated also (which i still need to remove), best advice has already been given...that is to remove it and put in styrofoam in its place...thats what i'm doing.
fyi if ur on a budget, like awe all are, tractor supply company has these big white foam blocks that they get in with there trailers that they sell and they gave me a bunch for free...just cut to fit and glue down.
good luck