water drainage under floor???

[rrhodes]

Re: water drainage under floor???

Keep in mind that a boat mechanic does not always equal a boat builder. For him to say that he has seen much worse and that it is safe without knowing the condition of the stringers would steer me clear of him. With the season ending it would be a good time to start a restoration project. I am not saying you should trash the boat but from the details you provided it needs attention before you can consider it safe.

Whatever you do be careful. People drown in lakes every weekend and none of them expect this to happen. The wood in your boat is your structural integrity. If the wood is rotten the the structure is compromised. If you do decide to risk it keep your life jackets handy and not in a compartment. My best friend survived a sinking boat years ago and the jackets were in the cuddy, they sank with the boat. 3 people went out on the boat and only 2 made the swim back to shore. Never under estimate the dangers surrounding boating. If done safely it is not just a hobby but a lifestyle and what I consider my mini weekend vacations.

 

[turborich]

Re: water drainage under floor???

Keep in mind that a boat mechanic does not always equal a boat builder. For him to say that he has seen much worse and that it is safe without knowing the condition of the stringers would steer me clear of him. With the season ending it would be a good time to start a restoration project. I am not saying you should trash the boat but from the details you provided it needs attention before you can consider it safe.

Whatever you do be careful. People drown in lakes every weekend and none of them expect this to happen. The wood in your boat is your structural integrity. If the wood is rotten the the structure is compromised. If you do decide to risk it keep your life jackets handy and not in a compartment. My best friend survived a sinking boat years ago and the jackets were in the cuddy, they sank with the boat. 3 people went out on the boat and only 2 made the swim back to shore. Never under estimate the dangers surrounding boating. If done safely it is not just a hobby but a lifestyle and what I consider my mini weekend vacations.

Yes, I agree with the safety vest. The first think that I did was to buy life jackets (8 of them) I will never have that many people on the boat but I just wanted to play it safe, I also picked up a throwable PFD, fire extinguisher, & other safety items. I am going to keep my life vest right under the dash of the boat, 4 on each side.

I don't want you guys to get the wrong idea here, I am generally a VERY safe person, I keep a fire extinguisher in all of my vehicles, as well as a first aid kit & a small tool kit. I check my tire pressure every 2 weeks, etc.

Like I said, It will have a float test before anything else. Things happen & who knows what may or may not happen by then. Maybe I'll find another boat, Maybe I wont, I will see what I run into to.

Great advice, Thank you!

 

[wca_tim]

Re: water drainage under floor???

if it's wet, it is or will be rotten.

if you're dead set on running it, do yourself a favor and drill a series of holes so that water can drain and air can get in, then after letting it dry out good (read no exposure to more water), think about adding first some ethylene glycol (kills / prevents rot) and then after it has had some days to soak in and dry on the outer parts, one of the two part wood stabilizers... Then be certain to really seal everything screw holes, etc... to keep mpore water from getting into things.

I'm not saying this is the way to go, I'm saying that if you're dead set on running it, it migh thelp avert a disaster for some period of time...

and I'll echo what was said above, boat mechanic doesn't mean boat builder...