No Foam?

[eavega]

I have begun to tear out the deck of my 15' Chaparral tri-hull in preparation for deck and transom replacement. When I cut out the front bow section (which was the softest piece of deck) the construction I found was plywood which was apparently not sealed on the bottom side with a 1/8" fiberglass shell on the topside. I guess the theory was that as long as the hull did not leak, and floor did not leak the wood would stay dry. Not the case, as the plywood comes apart in handfuls. I suspect that the topside fiberglass deck cracked or was breached some other way, which allowed water to get between the fiberglass and the wood, which rotted the wood. I saw two things, though, that raises questions I need help with:

1. When I opened up the bow, I didn't find any wet foam. That would be because there was no foam in there. When I rebuild, do I need to put foam in? I read somewhere in some thread that Coast Guard requires foam for boats smaller than 16', but I didn't know if that applied to boats that were manufactured without any flotation foam to begin with.

2. The stringer that runs along the keel was black all on its surface, but it was very solid. It seems like it was made with dimensional lumber of some sort rather than plywood. would it be a mistake to let it fully dry and treat it with an antifungal instead of cutting it out and replacing it? Honestly I don't need this boat to last another 40 years, but I definitely don't want to be considering this rebuild again in two or three years.

Thanks in advance for the answers.

-Eric

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: No Foam?

If you are in the mood for confusion...... do a search for the coast guard foam regulations. Is there any foam? I wonder if somone before you has been inside the hull?

So you are saying the stringer is just black? but solid? I would see how wet it is (some people say to use a moisture meter) and post the results. You "might" be able to seal it up.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: No Foam?

Here's a link to the USCG regs for "builders" of boats less than 20 feet in length powered by outboard motors greater than 2 horsepower:

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2004/julqtr/pdf/33cfr183.215.pdf

Good luck!

 

[eavega]

Re: No Foam?

Okay, so the flotation foam is a non-option. I was just wondering why I didn't see it when I pulled up the decking. Apparently it may be there, I just haven't found it yet since I have only pulled up the deck up to the console Either that, or like Bob_VT says, someone may have gotten in there before me.


I also see that I am not going to be required to fill the entire hull with flotation foam. I quickly read the regulations, and apparently there are specific weight considerations to meet USCG requirements. Depending on the volume below the deck, though, it may just be easier to punt and just fill the entire under-deck space with foam.

Thanks for the links.

-Eric

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: No Foam?

I warned you that the flotation is confusing ..... now with that said I would put foam back in but I would use closed cell poly foam that is the same stuff as swim noodles..... or 2" pink board laid in under the deck.