waterlogged foam?

[wonderphil]

I've been fixing up a 65 chris craft corsair fiberglass and I noticed water dripping from a damaged (6"x1" thru the gelcoat and to the fiberglas, no deeper) portion of the hull just ahead of the transom. <br />The only point I could discover where water could enter between the deck and the hull is where someone had drilled a small hole to secure the bilge pump pick-up to the deck just ahead of the transom and below the rear of the engine.<br />My question is how do I determine the amount of water is in there and how do I get it out?

 

[Kevin70]

Re: waterlogged foam?

This is one of those problems that would be much easier to answer if you could post a few pics. Do you have a digital camera??

 

[epresutti]

Re: waterlogged foam?

wonderphil,<br /><br />Water dripping thru the gelcoat is bad. What type of damage is it. A crack, blunt force impact? Can you create an inspection hatch above so you can see down? 4" hole ought to do, they sell deck plate hardware to fill the hole.<br /><br />Peace.<br /><br />Ed.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: waterlogged foam?

Phil, It sounds like there is no mystery. 1) A boat of that age will have foam that absorbs water. 2) You have water dripping, therefore your foam had absorbed some. 3) repairs of any importance should be made from the inside.<br /><br />==> rip up the floor in that area, dig out the wet foam, sand the hull, wipe with acetone and epoxy some cloth over the hull. Replace the foam and floor.

 

[wonderphil]

Re: waterlogged foam?

Thanks for responding, guys. I had a feeling I was going to have to cut into the floor, but its going to be a bear cuz theres limited space in that area (isn't that always the case) but that is why there are weekends.<br />The damage to the hull just appears to be the gelcoat was chipped off, no damage to the fiberglas, its not even scratched.<br />I'm thinking that I just might cut an inspection hole in the floor about 4ft forward and see what I get. Probably waterlogged foam, I bet.<br />Thanks again.

 

[Purduebarry]

Re: waterlogged foam?

Have fun picking that crap out...it grows! They ought to call it BLOB. Have as many tools as possible to help, rubber mallet, several pry bars, with various angles and chisel tips - wide, narrow you name it. I like the trusty 5-n-1 paint tools, now they have 10-n-1, 11-n-1, 15-n-1 etc. Get one from the paint department at home chepo. These are great for getting into tight spaces.