saturated wood&foam

[boating brad]

im gathering that it is next to impossible to dry wood & foam out, i have a 85 13.5ft bayliner capri i discovered today the wood in the floor and about 3inches up is saturated with water (foam too) i am going to try to get some out tomorrow. if it does'nt work, it'll be a good winter project to tear up the floor.<br /><br />i do have a question; when i take on this project im thinking of painting the plywood with drylock what do you think? will it keep a water tight seal to keep this from happening again? the boat is stored outside with a tarp over it in the winter. i cant find a good cover for this, and cant afford one anyway. unemployed

 

[NathanY]

Re: saturated wood&foam

Sorry to tell you Brad, but nothing is water proof, all we can do is prolong the life of our boats. Eventually it will do it again. Painting the floor will help, but that stuff is oil based and will not let the fiberglass stick to the wood very good, creating pockets and eventually letting water back in. <br /><br />The best thing you can do is lay a good coat of glass down to seal it up. That should last you probably longer than you will ever keep the boat.

 

[boating brad]

Re: saturated wood&foam

thanks nathan. if i fiberglass the top side of the floor, what is recommended for the underside?

 

[Walleye King]

Re: saturated wood&foam

I have been wondering this myself!

 

[bhalsdorf]

Re: saturated wood&foam

ON many of the projects at fiberglassics they paint the underside of the floor with the fiberglass resin mix before fastening it down. This seals the wood rather well.

 

[boating brad]

Re: saturated wood&foam

thanks bill. im going to try urethane just brushing it on.

 

[ajp]

Re: saturated wood&foam

I wouldn't worry about the underside. Use treated plywood, resin in the top. And use white styrofoam and antifreeze jugs for the flotation. Will last forever and never soak up water.