Re: Here I go again!! 1995 Sea Ray 220 Signature Deck and Stringer Restoration
Re: Here I go again!! 1995 Sea Ray 220 Signature Deck and Stringer Restoration
I have talked with two seperate business in Florida that restore boats for a living on the topic of floatation foam. Both of them as well as other post on here consistently agree on how water get's below the sole into suposedly sealed compartments. The two common causes are screws/mounting holes, and improperly treated plywood (not treated with a water proof resin). If the sole of your new deck is treated with epoxy resin and you are very carefull to seal any mounting holes in the deck with 3M 5200, it will be a long time if ever before any water makes it's way below the sole.
Most older american boats simply have polyester resin coated plywood, and that simply won't hold up over time. The wood will crack and the resin will crack with it. American boats also tend to mount captains chairs, bench seats, etc. with screws that create a perfect channel for water to travel into the so called air tight compartment. To make matter worse they use carpet on the sole which trapes water and accelerates the whole process.
My sole is completely epoxied/glued into place (no screws). It's also sealed on the outer edges and "tabbed" into place with epoxy. I am not going to have any screw or mounting points that penatrate the sole, so I don't see how water could ever find it's way below the sole and into the seperate sealed compartments.
The best deal I have found on Floation foam is 5 Gallon part "A" and 5 Gallons part "B" (2 LB density) from Compositesone for approx $220.00. That's enough for 40 Cu ft. If you get the 4 Lb denisty then it would be enough for 20 Cu ft. 3M 5200 is at Home depot for approx $11.00 per tube (standard caucking gun size).
Re: Here I go again!! 1995 Sea Ray 220 Signature Deck and Stringer Restoration
I have talked with two seperate business in Florida that restore boats for a living on the topic of floatation foam. Both of them as well as other post on here consistently agree on how water get's below the sole into suposedly sealed compartments. The two common causes are screws/mounting holes, and improperly treated plywood (not treated with a water proof resin). If the sole of your new deck is treated with epoxy resin and you are very carefull to seal any mounting holes in the deck with 3M 5200, it will be a long time if ever before any water makes it's way below the sole.
Most older american boats simply have polyester resin coated plywood, and that simply won't hold up over time. The wood will crack and the resin will crack with it. American boats also tend to mount captains chairs, bench seats, etc. with screws that create a perfect channel for water to travel into the so called air tight compartment. To make matter worse they use carpet on the sole which trapes water and accelerates the whole process.
My sole is completely epoxied/glued into place (no screws). It's also sealed on the outer edges and "tabbed" into place with epoxy. I am not going to have any screw or mounting points that penatrate the sole, so I don't see how water could ever find it's way below the sole and into the seperate sealed compartments.
The best deal I have found on Floation foam is 5 Gallon part "A" and 5 Gallons part "B" (2 LB density) from Compositesone for approx $220.00. That's enough for 40 Cu ft. If you get the 4 Lb denisty then it would be enough for 20 Cu ft. 3M 5200 is at Home depot for approx $11.00 per tube (standard caucking gun size).
Last edited:
