wood saturation

[boating brad]

i posted a question about my outboard/boat performance, i got a response about possible foam saturation. i have a 13.5ft bayliner capri with a 83 evinrude 50hp fresh rebuilt, it will only do about 30mph at 4600 rpm wot 11 3/4x17 prop doelfin hydrofoil level with the transom bottom. i was told this combo should run about 40mph, i just driiled a couple 3/4" holes in the back foam casing about 2inches above the decking.<br />the wood is wet and the foam is damp. my question is should i remove the fiberglass covered wood and foam and replace it or can i justleave it out? maybe this is not slowing me down?

 

[boating brad]

Re: wood saturation

update; after drilling some holes in the floor, that wood is saturated also, but none of the wood is rotten "just wet". all fiberglass coated wood.

 

[Solittle]

Re: wood saturation

brad - I have not heard of anyone who has had any success in drying out water saturated foam or wood.

 

[Whaler Proud]

Re: wood saturation

Weigh the boat before doing this so you have a benchmark to work from.<br /><br />Drill some 1/4" holes along the keel, tarp the boat and let nature take its course. Some folks hook up a vacuum to one of the holes to help draw moisture out. You can also insert a rag to act as a wick. Not sure on how long this will take, but it will eventually get most of the water out.<br /><br />Weigh the boat periodically so you can guage any progress. You'll also want to take a rubber mallet and tap the hull to detect any soft spots that may require a more aggressive course of action.<br /><br />Once the boat has dried, fill the holes with a good marine sealant and gelcoat or paint to match the existing color.<br /><br />I have seen JB post a method that would work very well but I could not find it and I have posted some of it from memory here. Maybe he can weigh in and fill in any gaps.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: wood saturation

Your bayliner is probably 14' and weighs around 700 lbs just for the un-rigged hull. Once you add a motor, gas, steering, people maybe even a battery...you are right over 1100 lbs (being very optomistic).<br /><br />Your 50 hp motor should be running at 4900-5200 rpms. You are not running at (WOT)wide open throttle combining that with the age of the motor and the possibility of being water soaked I think your speed is accurate. I think that 40 is much too high for that combination. I have a 15' boat with an 85 hp and I run WOT and attain 37 MPH on GPS and on a rare occasion I can hit 40.<br /><br />Bob

 

[boating brad]

Re: wood saturation

thanks to all replies. i'll try the drying method, and if it does'nt work i'll putt around until it rots then replace it, thanks again.