I bought a 1995 Key West 15 Explorer as my first boat. I got a decent deal on it, though probably could have been a bit better.
Basically, the evidence suggests the boat sat in a fresh water lake a lot. Bottom was heavily stained with tanic acid. I cleaned the bottom, but this did reveal some fairly minor gelcoat bubbling. They are so small that attempting a repair would be difficult...nothing really to open up. The boat A) isnt ever going to be worth a lot and B) will never sit in the water long term so long as I own it. That said, I am going to not worry much about it.
However, Ive been reading about saturated foam and how much of a nightmare it can be. Since this boat was in the lake getting rained in, etc for years most likely, how can I detect if my foam is saturated? I pulled the access plate right below the fuel cap gunnel and can see and feel some of the foam there and its dry. But everywhere else I look in the bilge, both access plates, etc, I cannot see any foam.
I dont know much about the construction of this boat. I am learning. I am curious if this design is likely tomget foam water log problems or perhaps they avoided it somehow with the design.
I am still discerning the true condition of the boat though it is mine no matter what. Ill likely sell it in several years, but more than resale value, I am interesting in making sure I have a good sound boat to play with for a while.
Also, as a side note, I got a quote to re gelcoat the floor using awlgrip and came back at $825. I dont mind spending the money, as it will make the interior look so much better. Does that seem reasonable.
Will post pics of boat soon.
Basically, the evidence suggests the boat sat in a fresh water lake a lot. Bottom was heavily stained with tanic acid. I cleaned the bottom, but this did reveal some fairly minor gelcoat bubbling. They are so small that attempting a repair would be difficult...nothing really to open up. The boat A) isnt ever going to be worth a lot and B) will never sit in the water long term so long as I own it. That said, I am going to not worry much about it.
However, Ive been reading about saturated foam and how much of a nightmare it can be. Since this boat was in the lake getting rained in, etc for years most likely, how can I detect if my foam is saturated? I pulled the access plate right below the fuel cap gunnel and can see and feel some of the foam there and its dry. But everywhere else I look in the bilge, both access plates, etc, I cannot see any foam.
I dont know much about the construction of this boat. I am learning. I am curious if this design is likely tomget foam water log problems or perhaps they avoided it somehow with the design.
I am still discerning the true condition of the boat though it is mine no matter what. Ill likely sell it in several years, but more than resale value, I am interesting in making sure I have a good sound boat to play with for a while.
Also, as a side note, I got a quote to re gelcoat the floor using awlgrip and came back at $825. I dont mind spending the money, as it will make the interior look so much better. Does that seem reasonable.
Will post pics of boat soon.