Water above the keel and below the floor??

[geekomatic]

The title says it all. I'm in the process of stripping all of the hardware off of the boat.<br />It's a '58 Arkansas Traveler Runabout.The thing was so full of leaves and garbage that I actually had earthworms living it.BAIT!!!!<br />I filled the boat up with about 300 gallons of water and soap and started scrubbing.I also wanted to see if anything leaked out of the bottom. Bad Idea? I didn't think so. This is how we used to test pressurization in aircraft, believe it or not.At any rate, I drained all the water, got everything squeaky clean so I could crawl around in the thing and figure out where to pour money next.I was in the middle of tearing out the old steering system and cable and noticed I was soaking wet. I found a BB-sized hole in the hull all the way in front.It was like a little geyser every time I moved the boat from side to side.The boat has no cockpit sole, just floor and stringers.They both appear pretty solid. Nothing squishy at all.I've increased the hole size to that of a half-dollar and pumped out all of the water and have been blow drying the thing to dry it out.Should I worry about anything under there? Do I need to inject it with foam once it's dry? I plan to cover the stringers and floor with a nice sole,and make it airtight.Just don't want to trap anything down there that's going to cause damage later.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Water above the keel and below the floor??

Maybe you should consider some type of removably plug that will seal the hole and could be used in the future to pump out the hull

 

[Solittle]

Re: Water above the keel and below the floor??

Can you post a picture or two?

 

[geekomatic]

Re: Water above the keel and below the floor??

You know, I tried to post photos and it just ain't workin'.Any clues on how to do this on this site would be helpful.Copy and paste is worthless.Thanx

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Water above the keel and below the floor??

C & P won't work for pictures, never has, never will. Find a pic hosting site like this:<br /><br /> http://photobucket.com/ <br /><br />Once your registered you will get a photo album in your name but the photos are stored on their server. Upload your photos to your album. When you want to post a pic on iboats, use the 'Full Reply Form' and then either use 'IMAGE' or 'URL'.<br /><br />Good luck.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[geekomatic]

Re: Water above the keel and below the floor??

<br /><br />Cool.Hope this does it.

 

[geekomatic]

Re: Water above the keel and below the floor??

Obviously Not. http://photobucket.com/albums/y18/geekomatic/?action=view&current=P2151097.jpg

 

[geekomatic]

Re: Water above the keel and below the floor??

That seems to work. Here's more.Ponder at will. Any advise is always welcome.Pay no attention to the adult beverages on the boat.They are for decoration purposes only.All of the hardware,wiring, steering,etc. has been removed for replacement, sanding, painting,Yada,yada. http://photobucket.com/albums/y18/geekomatic/?action=view&current=P2151100.jpg http://photobucket.com/albums/y18/geekomatic/?action=view&current=P2151093.jpg

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Water above the keel and below the floor??

Hey Geekomatic - you've got to select for those pictures to be able to be viewed by anyone. When I click on the link, it wants me to log in as you!

 

[geekomatic]

Re: Water above the keel and below the floor??

Holy Cow.I updated the site.You can access now,I think.Thank You, Sir. Photo Bucket Photo Bucket 2 Photo Bucket 3 Photo Bucket 4

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Water above the keel and below the floor??

Geekomatic, <br /><br />It works! Cool lookin' boat!

 

[geekomatic]

Re: Water above the keel and below the floor??

Thanks! Lots of work ahead!! I was poking around today and discovered that the wooden stringers are all squishy and rotten.I drilled a few holes in them and the bit came up wet and covered with what looks like dirt.<br />Looks like they're going to need to be replaced.Also have a 2x2 mounted on the inside of the transom that runs the length of the back of the boat.(see photos Back of Boat The Rot )I think it's for transom reinforcement.Rotten as well.The transom itself is hard and solid.My concern now is if the little Dremel tool I have is tough enough to cut thru the fiberglass and replace that stuff.Already have GOBS of the epoxy,hardener,fabric, etc.I've got a pretty good idea of how to go about replacing it due to a couple of really good books I picked up.<br />There's also a drain hole in the back under the transom.There are drain holes running thru the bottom of the fiberglass seat risers all the way to the front of the boat.These are covered in BONDO, of all things.I suspect this was not a stock installation(again, see photo Drain hole? ). If I'm going to install a water-tight sole on top of the stringers, do I really need a use for the drains?? Thinking about plugging all of them up.Any advise is always appreciated.

 

[NMplayer]

Re: Water above the keel and below the floor??

You know if it was me I would want that thing to be able to drain everywhere I could get it to drain. That's one of the biggest gripes I have with many new boat builders. The sole is only water tight until it isn't anymore. I want a bilge that I can pump out or drain. I want air to get under there so that a rot green house doesn't start