Under the deck bilge question

[circlehook69]

Ok...I have a '94 cobia 156 that I have replaced the stringers and am about to glass new deck in. My question is, can I glass the deck to where it is water tight and not put a drain under the deck? Once I glass the deck in, the only way for water to enter under it would be if I hit something to breach the hull. You're thoughts and comments are appreciated.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Under the deck bilge question

I wouldn't. Someway, somehow water ALWAYS finds a way. Best is to make sure water can drain down and to the back where a , drain, bilge pump or sponge can remove it, JMHO

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Under the deck bilge question

What are you using for flotation below deck?

I thought you intended on overdrilling the hole & putting in a drain plug:
drain plug question/idea...will it work??

 

[circlehook69]

Re: Under the deck bilge question

jbcurt00, I am for the main plug through the transom and for the motor mount holes through transom, was just wondering if would hurt anything to glass the deck totally in to make it water tight from the topside. I'm still having the little bilge area with pump for the back of the boat, but if there is no intrusion on the deck anywhere, would I still need the drain for under the deck?

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Under the deck bilge question

jbcurt00, I am for the main plug through the transom and for the motor mount holes through transom, was just wondering if would hurt anything to glass the deck totally in to make it water tight from the topside.

You absolutely want to do this ^^^

I'll be back, but I'm headed out to a job walk.

 

[circlehook69]

Re: Under the deck bilge question

Not 100% sure of the flotation yet. I'm undecided as whether to use sheets of styrofoam or just go without.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Under the deck bilge question

Are you talking about the drains for the stringers coming into the bilge?

 

[circlehook69]

Re: Under the deck bilge question

Yes, that's what I'm talking about.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Under the deck bilge question

Not 100% sure of the flotation yet. I'm undecided as whether to use sheets of styrofoam or just go without.

Only the foolhardy delete the floatation foam from their boat build.

Let me guess, you blame the floatation foam for rotting your below deck structure and not poor ownership maintenance and storage... right?

 

[circlehook69]

Re: Under the deck bilge question

No I don't blame the foam at all, like you said, poor maintenance and storage from previous owners of hull. The reason I'm considering leaving it out is merely a matter of weight and money. I fish water that is 1-2 feet chasing redfish on the grass flats, not chasing pelagics and bottom fish all over the gulf.

 

[Grub54891]

Re: Under the deck bilge question

Put the foam back in,someone else may fish deeper than you.....

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Under the deck bilge question

If you can build the sole basically water tight, then providing drainage is a moot point...
Take my particular build as an example...
I built the sole to be completely watertight and filled as much as I could of the void with flotation foam...
I left a way for water to run freely into the bilge and should therefore never have any water penetrate into my sealed and foam filled sole...short of a catastrophic hull breach from impacting an unseen underwater obstacle...
Any water that makes its way on to the deck, is allowed to flow all the way back to the bilge area where either the bilge pump, or pulling of the drain plug, after a day of fishing, will allow any collected water to drain out...
Basically I created an encapsulated area under the sole/deck, which contains the floatation foam...
For more insight into what I did , check out my links below...
Have fun!
GT1M