waterlogged foam and a decking board floor

[mwe-maxxowner]

I put a floor in my boat made of trex composite decking boards. I have since read posts about foam I'm the Hull becoming saturated and being a problem. Do I need to take precautions to avoid water being able to drain through my floor? I didn't consider the possibility of the foam becoming water logged. I assumed water would drip through, run out into the bilge area, and pumped out or drained when I get out of the lake.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: waterlogged foam and a decking board floor

Yes it will become water logged

 

[Bondo]

Re: waterlogged foam and a decking board floor

I put a floor in my boat made of trex composite decking boards. I have since read posts about foam I'm the Hull becoming saturated and being a problem. Do I need to take precautions to avoid water being able to drain through my floor? I didn't consider the possibility of the foam becoming water logged. I assumed water would drip through, run out into the bilge area, and pumped out or drained when I get out of the lake.

Ayuh,.... OEMs, rarely provide drainage under the foam,...
That's why yer deck rotted out....

Head on down to the Restoration Forum,....

The Info down there, will keep ya readin' for Weeks....

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: waterlogged foam and a decking board floor

There is a drain hole into te bilge below the floor line, but I don't think its below the foam. Ill caulk between the boards. Wont look as nice, but it'd be better than waterlogging my foam. And easier than pulling it up to coat the foam with a rubber coating. Might make that a winter project. The floor in it before probably hasn't kept much water out in years haha.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: waterlogged foam and a decking board floor

Is yours an aluminum or fiberglass boat?

Too bad you didn't know about waterlogged foam when you replaced your decking, you could've checked your foam then.

If you keep your boat covered and the bilge plug pulled when not in use your foam should be fine. Mainly it's just keeping the bilge plug pulled to keep water from filling the bilge and constantly exposing your foam to water.

If you have a deck drain I wouldn't worry about the caulking, water is supposed to go into your bilge... you just need make sure it doesn't stay in there.

 

[CILO]

Re: waterlogged foam and a decking board floor

Just to give you an idea of what happens when your foam gets water logged:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3xCwhbA-NY&feature=plcp

 

[jigngrub]

Re: waterlogged foam and a decking board floor

Just to give you an idea of what happens when your foam gets water logged:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3xCwhbA-NY&feature=plcp

Yeah, that's what happens to your foam.

... but this is what happens to you and your boat... if you're lucky:

http://www.glangler.com/_blog/Great...Adrift_and_Thanking_God_for_a_Coleman_Cooler/

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: waterlogged foam and a decking board floor

Thanks guys for all the help and info. The foam did not appear soggy or mildewed or anything, and didn't have any sort of odor. The plug stays out when the boat is not in the water, and I keep a cover on it and have it under a carport. I discovered this site after I did that work :/.

I got the decking boards for free, and I knew they'd never rot, so I couldn't pass it up. And it looks sharp! But, if I'd known about this, I would have put a solid plywood deck in. Hindsight is always 20/20 I guess.

Also, my boat is fiberglass. Its a 19 foot Dixie open bow ski boat, or 'runabout' I'm told. If memory serves correctly, the below deck drain was at the top of the foam line. Would it hurt to drill a 3/4 inch hole below that drain closer to the Hull surface and near the bottom of the foam? I pull the plug after I get up the boat ramp and the rear is downhill and let all water drain from my boat before heading home.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: waterlogged foam and a decking board floor

It sound like you're good to go with no worries then.

What kind of composite board did you use and post some pics of your boat if you would.

 

[jmznshana]

Re: waterlogged foam and a decking board floor

I put a floor in my boat made of trex composite decking boards. I have since read posts about foam I'm the Hull becoming saturated and being a problem. Do I need to take precautions to avoid water being able to drain through my floor? I didn't consider the possibility of the foam becoming water logged. I assumed water would drip through, run out into the bilge area, and pumped out or drained when I get out of the lake.

Does the decking lay across the stringers without any sub decking? meaning if you pull op that decking you put in can you see exposed foam? That seems to me a very UNSEALED deck to foam..