Symtoms of waterlogged foam???

[Proselect]

I have been doing a lot of reading on iboats and have read posts about waterlogged foam. This kind of scares me due to the fact I bought my boat used last year. It is a 16 foot deep V aluminum fising boat. What would be the symtoms of waterlogged foam? I know you can tell if you weigh the boat and trailer and then weigh the trailer and subtract the two and compare to the factory listed weight, but is that necessary? I am just paranoid now thinking about it. You never know what you are really buying. Just want to know what symtoms or signs to look for to hopefully make sure its not waterlogged. The good news is my bilge down the center of the boat is open and has compartments and a ski locker and the fuel tank. The foam is just on each sides of them and are seperated by the aluminum stringers so hopefully no bilge water would have ever gotten in. Thanks in advance.

 

[rbh]

Re: Symtoms of waterlogged foam???

I would think that additional weight woud be a dead give away.

 

[Proselect]

Re: Symtoms of waterlogged foam???

The boat has a 112 horse on the back and it sits nice in the water, at least I havn't noticed anything. It has a good hole shot and gets right up on plain no problem too. I guess I wouldn't suspect anything then unless somebody has a story that would convince me otherwise to be suspicious. Like I said, just paranoid.

 

[Grand Larsony]

Re: Symtoms of waterlogged foam???

Do the nail trick... take a regular smooth 2 1/2" carpentry nail (the kind you'd use to joint 2x lumber) and stick it into the foam.

If it squeaks then you're probably good.

 

[Proselect]

Re: Symtoms of waterlogged foam???

I suppose you could use a coat hanger too and stick it all the way to the bottom and tell if it feels like it changes, or comes out wet, no?