What causes a boats floor to rott???

[dkorzun21]

Is it from people getting the the boat soakin wet?
Just age?
A leak some where by the rubrail?
or water in the bilge area or ski locker? ( i thought that its all fiberglass at the bottom of the boat area where the water sits so how does it rott? Mosture?

Reason Im asking is because my boat has a small leak not a major problem just have to hit the bilge pump ever couple hours but with water gitting in the transom do I have to worry about my floor rotting? I have a 1989 larson and the boat floors really strong no soft spot up if I do open the ski looker I can see the would rotten A little bit where the water enters into and out of the locker to transom area.

What do you think?

 

[salty87]

Re: What causes a boats floor to rott???

water gets under the fiberglass encapsulation and the wood begins to deteriorate. can happen to the stringers and transom, seats. water can also saturate foam and then you can't get rid of the moisture until you get rid of the foam.

water does not belong IN a boat contrary to common opinion...it's a boat it's supposed to get wet mentality.

the water will also rust your engine and components prematurely.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: What causes a boats floor to rott???

A leak in the transom would be a concern if water is allowed to come into contact with the wood in it. Transoms are rotted out due to badly sealed mounted accessories (transducers, etc) or bad seals around an outdrive. I'd investigate that as soon as possible.

 

[dkorzun21]

Re: What causes a boats floor to rott???

A leak in the transom would be a concern if water is allowed to come into contact with the wood in it. Transoms are rotted out due to badly sealed mounted accessories (transducers, etc) or bad seals around an outdrive. I'd investigate that as soon as possible.

Yeah thats what all my friends say when they jump in my boat soaked. I tell them to dry off on the swimboard and they are like its a boat its supposed to get wet. (then thoses people stoped comming with me its my boat and i like to take care of my stuff)

I was going to check for the leak but really have no clue about boats. My stop pops is very good with that stuff but he is currently looked up for a couple more months so like january when he gets out he is going to do a overhaul with me since I have seen him out in 3 year. Where going to go over the whole engine and also do some inside work on rotted wood in my front bow. for the seats back rest, that should be easy. I do have a small crack in the back which i thought might leak but kinda unsure. Im going to shine a flash light in the whole tonight and see if I can see the light. I will also post a pic lmk what you think.

 

[dkorzun21]

Re: What causes a boats floor to rott???

 

[MushCreek]

Re: What causes a boats floor to rott???

Virtually all wood has mold spores in it, just waiting for the right combination of moisture and temperature to activate. It can even be the humidity in the air, trapped under the floor of the boat. Fresh water is worse for rot than salt; in the old sailing ships, they used to put in rock salt to counteract the effects of rain water finding it's way to the bilge. And a big myth- marine plywood is NOT rot resistant! Some woods are more rot resistant than others, and there is pressure treated plywood, including a special marine application that is PT and then re-dried so fiberglass and paint will stick. The problem with fiberglass boats is that the moisture gets trapped, and can't easily get out, and the wood gets wet, and then you have rot. Interestingly, completely saturated wood won't rot either. It needs air. Logs have been brought up from years of submersion with perfectly usable lumber in them.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: What causes a boats floor to rott???

As coincidence goes, I was thinking about this very thing as I drove home from work today. ( thinking about boats beats thinking about traffic ) I recently scrapped my old Crestliner for that reason, and considering there were no holes on the outside and none in the inner fibreglas. All wood was sealed. Then I remembered the plug hole. Most older boats, and maybe newer ones, have exposed wood at the plug hole. As this is constantly exposed to water, would it not get saturated over time, allowing water to penetrate, and start the rotting process? Just my observations....open to opinions.
Wouldn't a sleeve with an inner and outer seal be a good idea? Maybe it's already in use.

 

[BaileysBoat]

Re: What causes a boats floor to rott???

My floor is 3/16 aluminum plate. Self bailing. Have a bit of wood in the seats though.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: What causes a boats floor to rott???

The rub rail is guttering water directly into those holes behind it, there's no doubt water is getting in those.

 

[marlboro180]

Re: What causes a boats floor to rott???

Water. And Water.And a little air. If you asked me to dry off on the swimboard, I'd stop too.You seriously think a little water dripping off a person is going to rot your boat?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What causes a boats floor to rott???

usually it boils down to improper maintenance. little leak turns bigger. no one looks for it.
not storing the boat bow high with the plug out. not keeping the boat covered when not in use. open all compartments when boat is stored allows air in to dry things out.

 

[LIQUID PROZAC]

Re: What causes a boats floor to rott???

i get quite a bit of water in mine usually the auto bilge will turn on once ot twice all day out on the lake--when return home i will open all compartments and raise bow for several days under shelter to air out sometimes even using a fan if rained on to help with the drying process

 

[indy440]

Re: What causes a boats floor to rott???

I had thought about the using a fan in my old boat, just set it on top of the open ski locker and blow air through the hull...

Water would pool in the back because the drain hole was not low enough to let it all out. I just use the shop vac to suck up the puddle...

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What causes a boats floor to rott???

the puddle, use a wick.
just tear on old t-shirt in a 1 inch strip the length of the shirt. wet it, now push it thur the transom drain. leaving the longer part outside the boat. the capilary action will wick every drop out of the boat.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: What causes a boats floor to rott???

Wet rot covered pretty well in this thread...and then there's dry rot. In my climate, if you leave any piece of unsealed wood exposed for long enough it will turn to dust...all the moisture is pulled out by heat, wind, low humidity. Bottom line is to check you rig regularly, maintain it and store it properly no matter where you live.

 

[indy440]

Re: What causes a boats floor to rott???

thats a real good idea tashasdaddy, I've never heard of that before...

 

[madurodave]

Re: What causes a boats floor to rott???

the puddle, use a wick.
just tear on old t-shirt in a 1 inch strip the length of the shirt. wet it, now push it thur the transom drain. leaving the longer part outside the boat. the capilary action will wick every drop out of the boat.

excellent!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What causes a boats floor to rott???

my Dad, did that 50 years ago.

 

[tboltmike]

Re: What causes a boats floor to rott???

Non stainless steel screws in the deck can rust away and allow water into the deck wood and the underlying spaces. Seats that are mounted on top of carpeting make it difficult to seal the screws to the deck.

I saw one recommendation to saturate exposed wood with antifreeze. It is a natural fungicide.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: What causes a boats floor to rott???

the puddle, use a wick.
just tear on old t-shirt in a 1 inch strip the length of the shirt. wet it, now push it thur the transom drain. leaving the longer part outside the boat. the capilary action will wick every drop out of the boat.

Nice one! TD