Sea Ray Experts (and just experts in general...) to help with interesting problem...

[mhelberg]

Alright all you flooring and foam experts, this is my first post (although I have been lurking around for years) and I am looking for some advice.

The background... I got a good deal on a 2000 Sea Ray 185. Needed some work, but was not too bad. So far I have removed all of the carpet and installed snap in carpeting, fixed some of the interior vinyl, tuned up the 4.3 Merc, installed new prop, etc. This spring I put the boat in the water for the first time and really liked how it ran and drove, but I noticed a little lean to the left (I believe this is referred to as a "list"). Nothing major and not real severe so I tried rearranging the load and moving the cooler (always pretty heavy, but it did not help. After many trips this summer the list is gradually getting worse.

My non-expert opinion is that the boat is holding water on the port (left) side and as we use it it is slowly filling up more. here is where it gets interesting...

The boat is designed with a fiberglass floor that is glued to the hull. This floor is basically one piece, but divides the floor into three distinct sections. There is the port and starboard sides and what I will call a "valley" in between. This valley is the ski locker and the fuel tank area. The valley is then covered with some panels that cover the fuel tank and the ski locker.

My plan was to cut out the top of the port side floor and remove all of the foam and water and then re-glass the removed section back into place and pour new foam (obviously finding and fixing the water intrusion problem...). This would represent a significant amount of work and will be a fairly in depth project.

However, while discussing the problem with a fairly knowlegable boat guy, he recommended just installing another drain plug in the back of the boat that would drain this port side section. While the thought made me cringe a little, after trying to poke holes in his idea, it seems to make a certain amount of sense. It sure would be easier than cutting out the floor and would seems to present no more of a maintenance issue than the existing plug.

Is there anyone out there with experience on Sea Rays (and their fiberglass floors) that can tell me which way to go and why. Anyone have experience with a similar issue? I know there has been a lot of discussions about water in the foam, and I have read most of those, but I am looking for some Sea Ray specific knowledge...

Thanks in advance!

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

Re: Sea Ray Experts (and just experts in general...) to help with interesting problem

If the water can't get out of/past the foam it can't get to the plug. Not to mention the left over moisture will never dry out leading to rot if it isn't already.

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: Sea Ray Experts (and just experts in general...) to help with interesting problem

This is not a SR specific problem. Virtually all runabouts of that vintage and newer have glass floor liners. I won't even address your flooring issue because it is moot until you discover the real problem, which is the source of your water intrusion! I personally would not be trying to operate a boat that is continually taking on water, especially if it is enough to give the boat a noticeable list. That is just dangerous! If you have a hull breach below the waterline, you are definitely in a world of hurt. Cutting up the floor is not your first priority.

However, while discussing the problem with a fairly knowlegable boat guy, he recommended just installing another drain plug in the back of the boat that would drain this port side section.

Umm, this "fairly knowledgeable" boat guy must not have any fiberglass hull experience! Besides the obvious issues with attempting to do this with foam everywhere blocking water flow as TDF mentioned...you also have blind bulkheads that you would have to punch through and lay migration pipe in to guide water to the bilge. :facepalm:

 

[Brenn]

Re: Sea Ray Experts (and just experts in general...) to help with interesting problem

wow that is scary advice from someone that is suppose to be knowledgable as far as putting a drain hole and calling it good.

 

[mhelberg]

Re: Sea Ray Experts (and just experts in general...) to help with interesting problem

Thanks for all of the replies...

Like I said, the idea originally made me cringe and I was not comfortable with it, but logically, I am not knowledgeable enough to evaluate his recommendation...

I have a few more questions about the issue...

I know that this is not a Sea Ray specific problem but I was under the impression that Sea Rays did not have wood in the hull or supporting the floor, only fiberglass. Can someone confirm? Can fiberglass rot?

There is no water coming through the hull. The water appears to have entered through the many holes in the floor (seat mounting, ski locker cover hinge bolts, panel fasteners, etc). There are a lot more holes in the floor on the port side than there are on the starboard. How would I go about finding out what is under the floor before I start cutting (if possible)? There was mention of blind bulkheads...

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: Sea Ray Experts (and just experts in general...) to help with interesting problem

Before cutting up large sections of the floorboard, try some smaller holes in inconspicuous spots. They should be big enough you can get a core samples of the foam (all the way to the hull), and see how wet it is. You may have one really bad area and the rest OK.

Sea Ray should be able to give you a diagram of the hull support structure for your boat. Give them a call.

The advice above about foam never really drying out is true.

Last thing, I have to agree that you need to make absolutely sure where you water is coming from.

Sea ya...

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Sea Ray Experts (and just experts in general...) to help with interesting problem

my 2002 190 had a large removeable floor section under the rear seat. this was to access the fuel tank area. If yours is similar, would have the same panel.

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: Sea Ray Experts (and just experts in general...) to help with interesting problem

I was under the impression that Sea Rays did not have wood in the hull or supporting the floor, only fiberglass. Can fiberglass rot?

Your impression was misguided by deliberate and misleading marketing.
(That is not a slam on SR, it is industry wide now)

There are VERY few boats that do not use wood as a means of structural reinforcement. Especially on bowriders. Wood is cheap, easy to work with, and ensures that the manufacturer will always have repeat business.
In economics it's referred to as planned obsolescence. So to give you a shorter answer...yes, your boat most certainly has wood in it. A lot!

Does cured FRP rot? NO! That is why there are landfill restrictions popping up everywhere in this nation that makes it difficult to get rid of fiberglass boats. The only way to make a glass boat "go away" is to shred it with big machinery, or bury it like toxic waste. The green weanies don't appreciate that!

This is why you see so many ads on C-list for people wanting to dump their old junk off on an unsuspecting buyer.

Something like this:
For Sale: 1979 Crappola Gofaster 19' Funabout. Big hole in the side, missing engine and outdrive. Must sell ASAP! Get the boat free when you purchase trailer...must take boat!

Good luck in your repair.

 

[mrdjflores]

Re: Sea Ray Experts (and just experts in general...) to help with interesting problem

my friend takes those old 'free' boats just to get the trailers...has turned a few of those old boats into standing fish ponds...some look pretty cool...

 

[BigLee324]

Re: Sea Ray Experts (and just experts in general...) to help with interesting problem

Well you pretty much have the idea by now , i think, so just get a plan sorted out in you head or on paper what ever works for you.

1. Find out where the water is coming in
2. Check to see how much under floor damage there is by drilling test holes
3. be prepared to cut up the floor above the effected areas
hopefully the damage is minimal, but it depends on how long it has been leaking into the boat, what appears to be a small problem can turn into a big one if you have rot, rot starts at the bottom generaly toward the back.
Here's a thread that most on here are aware of and there are other simular stories
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=454460&highlight=friscoboater


as has been said , wet foam will not dry out so it will have to be removed and replaced