underdeck drainage in new boats

[marquette]

i was just reading another post about when foam became mandatory and the comment was made about when the manufactures went to pour in foam rot started because there was no drainage. most of us that have torn apart boats with pour in foam to replace floors and/or stringers would agree that no drainage was a major factor in holding the water under the deck. my question is, have the manufactueres done any thing to improve drainage? has anybody torn apart a 1998 or newer boat and noticed any change in techniques that is going to let the water out and prevent rot? i know some manufacturers are now using no wood and giving 25yr warranties against rot but did they do anything about drainage? i have seen several mid 90's boats with soft floors so i assume they hadn't done anything by then.

 

[sundowner205]

Re: underdeck drainage in new boats

This may shed some light. It does not necessarily apply to all manufacturers, but still may be helpful.

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/06-24-2003/0001970957&EDATE=

 

[dingbat]

Re: underdeck drainage in new boats

My builder still uses wood and started offering a lifetime rot warranty on their 1998 models.

Their philosophy is that it?s not an issue if water can?t get there in the first place so all drains are run overboard. There is not one drain on the boat that drains to the bilge except the drains on the cup and rod holders. What little water the holders accumulate is plumbed directly to the bilge proper.

 

[marquette]

Re: underdeck drainage in new boats

dingbat- you make a good point about if water never gets in you don't have to worry about it getting out. but if we step down a level in construction and quality from a Grady White to boats in the $25,000 and under class what have the manufacurers done to solve the problem.

 

[dingbat]

Re: underdeck drainage in new boats

How much can it cost to run few hoses around and dump the water in the bilge or outside the hull?

The offshore guys put the integrity of hull above all else. Their life, if they?re serious about the Sport, will depend on it sooner or later. I don?t know anyone that fishes offshore on a regular basis that doesn?t have a ?we didn?t think we where going to make it? story. Their priority rests in the integrity of the hull.

The vast majoirty of the $25K crowd tends to over look the hull and focus on the looks and creature comforts. They want carpeting, stereos, reclining seating, and places to lounge. Most could care less about what?s under their feet.

You could make the hull out of old melted down milk jugs with recycled cardboard stringers and most wouldn?t know the difference or care as long as it has a cool paint scheme, the right color carpeting or had a kick butt stereo.

Until the customer starts demanding changes to the integrity of the hull why would manufactures go out of their way to address the issue? Right now the money that could have been spent is going directly to the bottom line.

 

[Boatdood]

Re: underdeck drainage in new boats

Marquette, manufacturers of boats can't simply be grouped together in this respect. Some take great pains to allow for drainage while others pay little attention. Some also depend heavily on wood to reinforce fiberglass while others use no wood at all. They all have their arguments and reasons.

 

[marquette]

Re: underdeck drainage in new boats

my point wasn't whether a off shore boat is better built than an inland water way boat or if all manufacturers build their boats the same way but are they doing anything to solve the problem. because there certainly has been a problem with drainage or we wouldn't have an entire forum on restoration that has at least 1 or 2 posts a day titled something like "oh no not another rotted floor" or "what do i do about wet foam". i was just wondering if anybody had pulled the floor on a newer boat to change a gas tank or fix something and had noticed that the manufactuer had done something differant to allow water not to collect in the hull.

 

[jonesg]

Re: underdeck drainage in new boats

my point wasn't whether a off shore boat is better built than an inland water way boat or if all manufacturers build their boats the same way but are they doing anything to solve the problem. because there certainly has been a problem with drainage or we wouldn't have an entire forum on restoration that has at least 1 or 2 posts a day titled something like "oh no not another rotted floor" or "what do i do about wet foam". i was just wondering if anybody had pulled the floor on a newer boat to change a gas tank or fix something and had noticed that the manufactuer had done something differant to allow water not to collect in the hull.

They aren't going to do anything unless it helps sell boats at a profit point, that includes junk boats destined to last 10 yrs max.
Not everyone can afford a whaler or a Bertram , or wants one anyway.
So the fact this forum exists doesn't indicate a problem except some of us want to fix boats that exceed their designed lifetime, its our problem, not theirs.

My boat is 40 yrs old, my car isn't.!

Some Marine surveyors agree with you from a technical point.
http://www.yachtsurvey.com/structuralissues.htm
This surveyor dislikes the newer composite hulls and makes good points.

The main concern is more centered on catastrophic failure, not slow rot .
I believe boats can be expected to wear out.

 

[dingbat]

Re: underdeck drainage in new boats

my point wasn't whether a off shore boat is better built than an inland water way boat or if all manufacturers build their boats the same way but are they doing anything to solve the problem. because there certainly has been a problem with drainage or we wouldn't have an entire forum on restoration that has at least 1 or 2 posts a day titled something like "oh no not another rotted floor" or "what do i do about wet foam". i was just wondering if anybody had pulled the floor on a newer boat to change a gas tank or fix something and had noticed that the manufactuer had done something differant to allow water not to collect in the hull.

It?s all about the customer?s expectation.

The typical Harry boat owner does care about rot or water logged foam 10 years after the fact. If the customer doesn?t care what motivation does a price point manufacturer have to spend the additional money to resolve the issue?

 

[marquette]

Re: underdeck drainage in new boats

from the responses so far i am gathering that the "price point" manufacturers like Lund, Crestliner. Ranger, Stratos, Tracker Alumacraft, Bayliner, ect no one has seen any changes in how they are handling water trapped under the floor.

 

[jonesg]

Re: underdeck drainage in new boats

I'm certain if you walk into a bayliner dealer to discuss it they will steer you towards their latest models, thats how they handle it.
Keep crankin em out.

The average boat owner is a consumer, not a restorer.

We're all here because...
we're not quite all there.

 

[salty87]

Re: underdeck drainage in new boats

since the mid-90's, for most manufacturers, inboard tournament ski boats have been made from composite materials. i don't know if drainage is incorporated. not exactly entry level boats, at least the older ones don't run $60k.