Water Between Floor and Hull

[atengnr]

SO, I have a 1968 Saf-t-mate 15 ft. Since new, water always got into this subfloor area (according to my father), and this led to us replacing the floor and stringers 10 yrs ago. The trouble is that its always wet in there, and I know its just a matter of time before the wood is all rotted again....

Im pretty sure that there is no leak from the hull or the deck, but that water got in from one of the two drain plug holes to the subfloor. THe problem is that once water gets in there, you cant get it out.....there are only two drain plugs that help only if there is substantial amount of water in it.

So, could/should I cut some square holes in the floor and install something like an access hatch (or maybe two of them)??? This way I could have a means to dry this space...

Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

[JB]

Re: Water Between Floor and Hull

Well, my first move would be to find a way to keep water out of the sub-deck spaces, atengnr. I can't believe that the boat was designed to allow that.

My second move would be to install a drain of some sort, with a plug or valve, that would allow that space to drain completely if water should get in there.

Good luck.