Water logged foam in my 1990 Sea Ray 160 Bowrider.

[Dave Denoyer]

I purchased a non-operational, 1990, Sea Ray 160 bow rider in august 0f 2012 with a Merc 140 Alpha One. I gave $500.00 for the boat and trailer which at the time I thought was a bargain. Got the engine running, out drive dismantled and all new parts present, made a new back seat for over the engine compartment, painted all the vinyl seats which turned out really nice, purchased several items to fix it up and then I started to clean it up and replace the carpet. Once I removed the carpet I found issues with wood rot in the floor under the back seat. Pulled the gas tank floor cover off and I could not get the stringers to dry out. I reluctantly cut a 6" x 6" square hole in under the rear seat and pushed down into the foam and "SQUISH and SQUIRT!" I am thinking that this was caused by what appears to be from the previous owner leaving the bow down and the boat uncovered outdoors. This apparently allowed water to invade the foam under the floor from cracks in the floor because this stuff is soaked! I have read numerous posts on here that have been a huge help in giving information and keeping my chin up due to this turning in into much more of project than I was anticipating. I have partially cut the floor out in front of the gas tank to the walk through of the bow, each side from the front seats to the back partition of the engine compartment and I am hoping that this is all I will need to cut out of the floor. I have picked out and scraped off foam which seems to be finally coming to an end. I have been "stabbing" the foam under the rear compartments with a 1-5/8" piece of copper pipe. Drive it into the foam and pull it out and push out the core, do it again, over and over. I think I can get most of it out this way. If I get most of it, I think I will line the openings with plastic before the floor is replaced and I foam it through the holes in the floor, this to keep the new foam from being possibly compromised with any possible watery foam left behind. Planning on using the Aero Marine 2 part foam that you pour in once you mix it. Does anyone have any input on this idea? I just don't have the resources or the time to tear out the whole inside of this boat and redo all of the woodwork that would be required. I am planning on glassing in the entire floor once the new foam is in place. Thanks.

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: Water logged foam in my 1990 Sea Ray 160 Bowrider.

You really really need to check the stringers and transom. If the foam is holding that much moisture and the stringers are wood, they are most certainly wet or rotten. The transom is possibly compromised also, and if there was a soft spot in the deck, it probably needs to all be replaced. All the wood covered in glass components of the boat give it strength and safety.

And, since the deck most likely needs to come up, replace ALL the foam. I wouldn't change the oil in my diesel and leave 2 quarts of dirty oil in because I couldn't afford the whole 15.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Water logged foam in my 1990 Sea Ray 160 Bowrider.

Yep, This^^ is true. 23 year old boat with wet foam(we don't know how long it's been sitting there wet under the deck) the stringers, motor mounts and transom could all be mush. Leaving ANY wet foam behind is NOT a good idea. I know you don't want to hear this but...if the stingers, motor mounts and transom are wet and rotting your boat could be unsafe to operate. Drilling into all of them to check the shavings and confirm their current state is the only way to know for sure. If the shavings are dry then fill the holes with 3M 5200 caulk and carry on. I agree with MWE that at the very least the entire deck should prolly be removed and All the foam replaced. It will Never dry out and it could be adding hundreds of pounds of additional weight to your boat severely affecting it's overall performance.