wet foam

[lagoonrat]

I have an 85' 17'6". It looks like an Osprey but am not sure. I love the hull and it handles the ocean very well for a small boat. It has a full transom and I notice some screw holes I repaired improperly were soft, so after drilling some holes to let the water out in the affected area, there is one that is not drying out. I believe it is in the foam between the bilge and the bottom of the hull. Will the foam dry out eventually? Or do I have to get in there and replace the foam?

   Also does anyone know about penetrating epoxy? I would like to use it on the small area of wood in the transom that is hollow.

[RickK]

Welcome aboard lagoonrat  :!:  :!:
Post some pics of the boat and the affected area so we can see what you're talking about.

[Mad Dog]

I believe it is in the foam between the bilge and the bottom of the hull. Will the foam dry out eventually? Or do I have to get in there and replace the foam?

If that foam is not Closed Cell Foam it is unlikely it will ever dry on its own.  In my AS 222 rebuild the old type foam was soaked, even inside the stringers.  With the sole out, I exposed it to South Texas Sun in August, covered with black plastic for several weeks.  I could not tell that there was any change in water content.  I pulled it all out, of course.  Some I left laying around in the sun which eventually dried.  Inside the hull though I would not hold my breath expecting it to dry.   :(

MD  

[lagoonrat]

Thanks for the Welcome Rickk. Sorry I haven't figured out how to post pix, tried the bucket route. Must be doing something wrong. I agree with Mad Dog that I'll be old and grey when the foam is dried out.
     How do you evaluate how bad it is? I don't have any soft spots that I can find in the hull or deck and the transom is still pretty solid. I will keep trying to get the pix posted.

Thanks

[lagoonrat]

Making progress hopes this works. Lagoonrat

[lagoonrat]

[Marcq]

Hey lagoonrat !! Welcome, she looks good   first time I see a 175 with a close transom and a braket , doesn't seem to affect the flotation of your boat with that big motor in the back, are your scuppers above the waterline ? Looks like it from the last picture
Marc..

[lagoonrat]

Thanks Marc!
  Sorry, the full picture is deceiving, I was on a sand bar that day. The scuppers are a good 5 inches under the water line and they stay plugged. It is a problem at trolling speed in a following sea but I have never been swamped.
    I don't push my luck in a boat this small, but in 2-3' that is not too close together it handles great. It also handles inland chop in the lagoons really well and is pretty fast! 50 mph on the gps by myself and trimmed out.
     
This hull was a mullet boat with 20 pounds of scales, black bottom paint, yellow gun whales, rotted deck, bad console and an old fiberglass tank ten years ago, it has been a sloooow project.
   
I am wondering if the foam being wet is weighing it down besides the monster on the bracket. Should I try to get the moisture out or just fix the transom and run it?

[RickK]

Looks good  
Hard to tell what to do - did you do the rebuild?  If not, then they may have covered up the problems - hey if it is seaworthy, plug the holes with some 5200 or 4000 and when you get ready, then dig into her.

[lagoonrat]

Thanks Rick,
     I did not do any structural work, contracted most everything except console, leaning post and electrical. The transom was closed in 11+ years ago by someone else. Everything looked good when the deck was ripped out but no telling how much water is in the foam.
       Do you know anything about penetrating epoxy? I want to fill the voids in the upper part of the transom where the half moon crack is. This might be an old scupper hole, but it seems dry and could be addressed. The hole with my finger pointing at it is where I'm into the foam and I may have to accept the fact it will never stop seeping.


Thanks,
 Lagoonrat

[Capt. Bob]

The transom is not wood?
That sure looks like wood rot to me.
What kind of foam would you use in the transom that could absorb water?

[lagoonrat]

Yes Sir, the transom is wood. It is four sheets of 3/4"  thick the best I can tell and there is good bracing on the inside. But I agree there is rot. I was able stick a coat hanger at least a foot into the 1/4" hole I'm pointing at, so I think it goes all the way into the foam cavity. The other 1/4" holes bottom out after an 1 1/2".

   I would think the lower and outer portion in that whole area is rotten, that is why I'm hoping the claims that some of the "penetrating epoxy" manufacturers might  give me some life for a season or two.
   Tapping with screwdriver handle the transom overall is pretty solid but I know there is a lot of weight on this thing, that is why I'm apprehensive about a quick fix. If money wasn't an issue (common story these days), I would have it done right by someone qualified, because I love the hull and would love to maintain it prop

Thanks,
Lagoonrat

[RickK]

I don't have any experience with this but some members have been using "Git Rot" or something to that affect and they seem to be pretty happy with the results - they'll chime in here soon.

[Marcq]

  I would think the lower and outer portion in that whole area is rotten, that is why I'm hoping the claims that some of the "penetrating epoxy" manufacturers might  give me some life for a season or two.
   
Lagoonrat

I have read a lot about those product like Smith & Co. Epoxy Products and I believe they work but the wood as to be dry to absorb it and to work, i think this is the hard part. I would make more test holes to locate exactly where the rot is, dry it with a heat lamp(may take a while) and go for it, it will at least stop the rot. When you locate the affected area, dry it, drill holes at 45 degree angle and pour the product in

The product I would choose for this is CPES by Smith & Co. Epoxy Products
http://www.star-distributing.com/smith/cpeswhy.html
Marc..

[GarrettS]

I think these are the same products that can be found at www.rotdoctor.com.