Any test to do that will determine how much water made it's way into hull foam?

[Old Ironmaker]

I hate to ask this because if I didn't that would mean I wouldn't think I have a problem. OK, my beauty is a 96' StarCraft Superfisherman 190. I have a small leak somewhere and I know that because she takes on some water sitting in the slip. As well the stern found its way under water 2 years ago when someone forgot to put the plug in. That person has been demoted. The other thing is if she is parked on the trailer and I leave the plug in (for testing purposes only) some water will drain out. Sometimes a small drip, sometimes a max flow for 10 seconds. I thought water must be getting through the cover but all surfaces are dry. I have to add that because of how my kicker sits on the transom I do get some slashing into the battery compartment under power. If I remember I dry it out after docked or trailered. Sometimes there is 1" sitting in the plastic battery box. It has to be a good run, 20 miles or so under power. If there is a tip to prevent this water getting in I would appreciate that as well. The kicker sits right on the transom there isn't a kicker bracket. The kicker does not touch the water under power but there has to be some splashing going on. I have met a guy that has a Superfisherman 170 and he has the exact same problem. He did buy a bracket that brings the kicker away a bit from the water surface but not enough so after a few hundred bucks he still has the same problem. I was thinking about McGivering some type of splash guard but haven't been able to come up with something that will do the job when the kicker is in the up position.

I don't want to rip the original floor out before I know for sure I have to replace the foam and look for a leak that might or might not be there. I have to add after shrink wrapping, and this only happened once, the plug was inadvertently left in after the marine guy shrink wrapped her and a gallon of water came out in the spring. Could have not been drained 100%. I don't know how it wasn't. I am thinking of core drilling through the floor and into the foam in a discreet location and seeing what the foam looks like. I don't know what type of foam was used in 97'. I have a construction back ground as well and know that water has a harder time to penetrate closed cell foam today. I did a science experiment last year and soaked a sample underwater for 2 months and there was zero penetration through the skin.

Should I just bite the bullet and rip out the floor which has no punky spots? Monitor it closely this season then make a decision. I have to add only twice in the last 4 years planning out was a problem. 4 years ago the bilge wasn't MT before we went out. And there was the last trip of last season like I said the bilge was as dry as it can be without draining her on the ramp. By pump will not get 100% out unless shes bow very high.

I think I have the background for you but I know I may have missed something that may help you all to make me make the best decision. Budget is an issue this year more than any year before. My wife is retiring and the boat is no longer as high a priority as years gone by. I would never sell it as is to an unsuspecting buyer unless they were aware of the water infiltration. I need to determine if I invest money to get that leak found will be recovered or I should just take my lumps selling "as is". Selling is not an option for me but may be an option for "us". If not for my wife buying it for me 8 years ago I would never have it in the first place. They say the 2 best days of a boat owner is you know what. That day I sell it will be a very sad day for me and everyone that joins us on her, a very sad day indeed.

I thank you for your consideration ahead of time all.

Johnny D

 

[mr 88]

According to NADA your hull comes in at 1183 lbs. Find out the weight of the motor ,battery,fuel etc and add that up, Now take it to a scale house and deduct the trailer weight. If your close I wouldn't worry about and for sure I wouldn't rip up the floor. It sounds like it had minimal water intrusion over the years so it probably isn't waterlogged. As far as the kicker goes I would think you could fabricate some sort of splash guard out of aluminum that would hook up under the mounting clamps of the kicker ,something L shaped with a lip on the short side of the bottom of the L that goes under the mounting pads of the kicker. Or some sort of panel on the splashwell that kicks the water back into the well. If your really bothers you cut a hole out under a seat/storage compartment and cover it with the access cover plates they sell on here. Monitor it better next year and sell as is.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

I should have weighed it last year when I pulled her out, it is buried in storage until Spring. There are a few stone quarry's very close to us out here and a Tim Horton's coffee will get you on and off a scale. Thanks for reminding me mr 88. I never considered mounting a splash guard right to the kicker. Like I said with the kicker up there isn't any room for a small guard that will do what it needs to do. Mounting directly is something I never thought of. Great suggestion, thanks again.

I have copied a link here for myself from iboats giving a few specs for the 190. What would you think a 2 stroke 115 horse Mariner would weigh in at? I'm thinking 300#'s, I know the kicker is 100 lbs. and I'm not sure of tank capacity, it's never been MT, battery is approx. 70 lbs X 3. What would be included in the "etc." category. Seats? Actually that would be about it. Oh and minus trailer. Single axle Escort. Knowing the trailer weight would save me another coffee!

 

[ondarvr]

Good choice on a boat.

All the boat and motor weights are listed on NADA.

All foam used for flotation is closed cell, open cell foam is also known as a sponge, so not particularly a good choice for flotation. Long term immersion is more like years, and needs to include vibration, pounding and freeze/thaw cycles.

There should be a floor panel someplace you can remove and inspect the foam without cutting or drilling, the lower and further back the better.

Short term dunking like leaving the plug out a couple times doesn't have much of an effect if the water is drained shortly after that, but leaving water in all winter under shrink wrap can.

 

[jasoutside]

See, the problem with pour in foam is that it fills nearly every square inch below your deck. So, when water from:

1. loose rivet
2. misplaced plug
3. rain
4. gigantic fish hauled over the rail
5. kids climbing on board after having fun tubing
6. really super sweaty day
7. other

...follows gravity and makes it's way below deck, it really only has three options:

1. make it's way through very few/minute channels down to the bilge, through the bilge pump and over the side
2. evaporate
3. get stuck, like water behind a dam, and sit for very long periods of time until it eventually soaks into the foam rendering it useless and making your boat unnecessarily heavy

So, do you have soaked foam? Probably at least a little, maybe a lot, hard to say.

 

[mr 88]

Trailer weight should be on NADA as well. If not just Google it, a great resource ,and all your other weights should be available there as well. Seats if factory installed are included in there listed weight. Things like preservers,fire extinguisher, fishing gear,anchors,lines,portable gas tanks pretty much everything that isn't bolted down is not included in the mfgs.listed hull weight

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Thanks ondarvr. Yes I think I scored big time! Original owner that works at the Marine I bought it at and is anal, (waxed 3 times a season) I only wax once but the engine cowl is done every few weeks, sometimes while fishing I do all the detailing. Getting her was like winning the lottery for good used boats. Interesting story as to how I scored her. My thread so I think I can digress a bit. Basically bought a used newer 2005 17' Lund that I insisted on a leak warranty. It leaked, they refunded me and after a very long search of over 25 years for the right boat at the right time financially here I am looking at fishing season and no Lund, I was going to have a Lund or I was casting from shore. The owner/salesman told me about the StarCraft before I bought the Lund but I said too old before looking, my mistake. Don't judge a book without looking at the cover. I had forgotten a few tools I put in the boat and was standing in the Lund. Doug was showing the 190 to a customer when my buddy says "look at this beauty Johnny D!" I glance over to see the StarCraft. I say " I worked at the plant, I didn't own it." Doug says "That's Larry's boat I told you about". Without lifting my head I say " Doug, please ask that nice gentleman to get out of my new boat". I swear, I bought it in my mind right there and then.

I will look for it on NADA. I'm always looking for specs for the old gal. I know the boat stem to stern now and can't see a panel unless it's under the carpet. A nice new floor carpet won't break the bank. I will need to feel closely for a hatch. I can't see how I've missed it after all these years.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

As well thanks mr88. I was typing a reply when you posted. I am feeling a bit better about the foam being completely water logged then this morning. Going to go to NADA as soon as possible. What would I do without iboats. That is one reason I don't want anymore PM's from our fantastic, well informed and diligent amongst many other positive attributes moderators. I didn't start out on the right foot. Never post while having Dr. Crown or Dr. Smirnoff next to you, ever.

 

[porkchop01414]

I took a doorknob hole saw and drilled a two inch hole just through the fiberglass in an unobtrusive spot....hit water! My flotation material was factory installed before the day of closed cell material. must be about 400-600 pounds of water in there. done some research which all leads to this: it can't be dried out....must be removed and replaced preferable with a closed cell product. any experience out there? boat is a '67 Crosby Sled, 14ft tri hull. my plan is to cut out lowest part of deck and pull that nasty stuff out. I would appreciate any thoughts or Ideas that would save my sanity.

 

[jbcurt00]

Porkchop, start a topic about your Crosby, you'll get plenty of help.

Sanity is best checked at the door