Old Ironmaker
Captain
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2015
- Messages
- 3,050
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
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
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