How to take a look under the deck?

anon1

Seaman
Joined
Sep 5, 2007
Messages
71
Hello Everybody,

I have a 22yr old Baja and want to check for water logged foam under the deck. The deck has a panel down the center of the floor that unscrews and gains access to the fuel tank. You can't see anything around the sides of the tank it is a tight fit in there.

Is it usually possible to take up one side of the deck without destroying it?

I can't find any screws to remove down the sides. Is the floor usually glassed into the sides of the hull?

boatfloor1.jpg


boatfloor2.jpg


Thanks.
 

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: How to take a look under the deck?

I think I'd sooner do a "core sample" then tear up the floor. Cut a hole in the deck. Take a length of PVC pipe with some teeth cut into the end of it. Jam it down into the hole into the foam. Take it out and examine the plug you've removed. Repair the hole.
 

Robert4Winns

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Oct 28, 2009
Messages
146
Re: How to take a look under the deck?

That part of the deck should be glassed to the hull and the stringers. The best/least destructive way to assess the condition of the foam under there is to take a core sample using the method described by ezmobee.
 
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