Drainage from main hull to bilge area

[Ironside]

I have a 1974 fiber form 20'deep vee hul boat that I am reflooring and have noticed that there is no way for traped water to move from the hull"under the floor" to my bilge under my enginr "165 hp mercruses inline six". Does anyone have any ideas on how to make a drainage hole from the hull to the bilge that will not rot the wood or is there a better way P.S. I am changing the foam so acces is no problem thanks

 

[Bondo]

Re: Drainage from main hull to bilge area

My favorite is to cut PVC pipe in inch or so lengths,+ then cut them in half, lengthwise.......<br />Then you can Epoxy these little pieces into holes you've cut in the stringers or bulkheads.......<br />Or,<br /> Skip the tubing,+ Cut holes larger than you need.... Then coat the Wood with Epoxy,+ fillers/glass..........<br /><br />The drainage holes are called Limber Holes....<br /><br />Most boats Don't have them,+ Should............

 

[Ironside]

Re: Drainage from main hull to bilge area

Thanks bondo i will get after those Limber holes cause I realy dont want to do this again.

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: Drainage from main hull to bilge area

What about when you re-foam? How do you stop or atleast hinder the foam from completely filling the holes? Or does it really matter? Will the water still eventually find its way back?<br /><br />I was almost thinking of building a platform above the hull in each of the sections under the floor. Use 1" or 1/2" wood dowels expoxied to the hull and then sheet with some epoxy covered venier along the hull and joining at the center stringer and bottom of the floor. Then foam above that and below the floor, but if with just the holes the water will find its way back that rocks.

 

[Ironside]

Re: Drainage from main hull to bilge area

Good question Suzuki , I was going to run 2 beads of foam one or two inches on either side of the center or keel line then run one bead ontop of the first 2 to atempt to make a channel for moisture to the back with those foam in a can jobbies , them install the floor and pour the foam. What do you guys think of this or should this be done differently all input appreciated thanks

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Drainage from main hull to bilge area

Bondo is exactly right about those limber holes. Fwiw, the limber holes for each compartment should step down the flow of water such that water in the bilge cannot move around in the boat when the boat moves. To do it properly may involve building up areas with foam and covering it with fiberglass.

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: Drainage from main hull to bilge area

Cool, just need to get creative with foam and fiberglass then. I was to the point of not really worrying about it too much but then saw this post and figured this could be answered. Thanks!!

 

[Crappie_Fan]

Re: Drainage from main hull to bilge area

Just curious what kind of foam do you guys use? Is it some sort of flotation foam or is it like that stuff you spray out of the can? I'm super new to the restoration scene.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: Drainage from main hull to bilge area

It's a two part expanding closed-cell urethane foam. You can get the stuff in different densities (weights) depending on the application. Most people from what I've seen use either the 2lb or 4lb for their hulls.<br /><br /> http://www.uscomposites.com/foam.html