Out-of the-box thinking on wet foam in my 79 19 6

[gran398]

Here is an idea that hit me in my sleep last night.

It is out-of-the-box, invasive, and negatively affects resale value. But it gets the job done...NOW. At basically zero cost.

Although along the same lines, it is a more aggressive approach than CJ's and gw's suggestions. Certainly not better. Just another consideration, ideas as you've requested. The water is extracted via gravity.

Here goes:

Locate the two stringers at the transom, their positions at the transom in relation to the transom beam, and the stringer widths. If your deck is closed, ie. no inspection hatch at the stern...and you cannot get a good handle on the measurements...plenty of 19-6 owners are here to help regarding applicable stringer measurements at the transom.

Drain the tank, remove the engine.

You will use a hole saw to bore a port and starboard hole (two holes)  through the transom INTO the stringers. Holes should be very near the bottom of the transom...a quarter inch above the hull bottom fiberglass.

Then...rent an electric snake...A "Rotorooter" like plumbers use to clear a drain....and eat into that soft foam mung on each stringer, all the way to the bow, both sides. The hole saw diameter should only be fractionally larger than the Rotorooter head.

Now here's the part of the dream that really kicked in this morning. Love the stuff that comes to you in dreams.

Hang the boat by the bow eye from a steel I beam with a RATED chain.  With additional chains, ropes, etc. from mid-ship cleats.

Let it hang for a while...just like a big side of USDA Prime Angus on the dry-cure.

Save the two circles of transom cut-out material for the later repair.

Thats it. You could forego the hanging, and jack up the bow real high....will take longer...and not as effective.  If choose this route...CJ's vacuum method should be used in conjunction.

In the interim...search for the source of water deck intrusion. The members are in agreement that most water enters the stringers through console/deck screws over the years.

This is not a recommendation. As stated, negatively affects resale.

But if you want to run her, use her in the short term, and deal with resale down the road...this will work. For damn sure the water will be gone.

[imonna 19 6]

Gran,

thats an intriquing ida and expands on the rooter snake idea another member suggested.  Resale value doesnt matter too much becasue when i sell her, its going to be with full disclosure about its condition anyway, so i figured I would end up parting it out and selling the hull to someone that wants to rebuild.

Well, i have one idea done two ways,
open the deck, root out the foam, vacuum the moisture
open the transom, root out the foam, vacum the moisture.



I'll start examining the details and see whats possible.

Thanks
Bill

[pete]

Hey Bill,Here's my .02,if this is a boat you are planning on selling in a few years,all those ideas sound like way too much trouble,to me anyway.If it was me,I'd take the boat and get it weighed,for a baseline number,put in in the garage,take out all the gear open up all the hatches and pie plates,etc.dry out all the water in the bilge I could see and let it dry out for the winter,maybe use a fan or some sort of blower for air movement,or maybe a dehumidifier?Let it sit and dry out all winter and rewigh in the spring,then stop worrying about it and go catch some more fish!Bottom line is the only way to correctly fix this is a rebuild that you don't want to do[don't blame you] Good luck.Stay warm!
Pete