WaterLogged

[adc9133]

All,

I have a 1987 Grady White Trohpy Pro with twin 200 yamaha outboards mounted on a drive bracket. I suspect that my hull may be waterlogged. It sits about 4 or 5 inches lower in the water than it did when it was new. I can tell this by the water line on the drive bracket. I also notice that the boat feels heavy in the water. Its also slightly slower than it was when it was new and when I fill it with fuel (225 gallons) it is more like 7 or 8 inches lower. My question is, How do I confirm this and how can it be repaired? I have had several fiberglass guys look at it and they have all told me that fiberglass boats sometimes become heavy with water and that my boat is probably still safe to use. Other than this problem the boat is in great shape and I am considering repowering it. It has the original engines on it. I have not been able to find nor have I ever heard of a Grady with this problem. Has anyone else and what can be done to fix it?

Thanks
ADC

 

[sea wolf]

Re: WaterLogged

The only way to be sure is to get under the deck & start digging around. Often, the flotation foam gets waterlogged, adding weight to the boat. If it is, it must be removed, because it will never dry out.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: WaterLogged

if this is a trailered boat, it's really easy to determine if you are carrying extra weight. go to nada boats. look up your boat and motors. the factory weights are there. then add, any accessories, and the gas estimated in the tank. take the unit to a public scale, have it weighted. then launch the boat, and have the empty trailer weighed. this will give you your float weight. boats can carry a lot of water weight , that has absorbed into the foam.

another way to tell, is to use a hole saw in a drill, and do several test holes, in the floor. then a a piece of 3/4" PVC pipe, notch the end so it has teeth in it. rotate the pvc into the foam, and pull out a core plug. if dry patch up the hole with dow 5200, and be on your way. if wet, time to regroup.

 

[gcboat]

Re: WaterLogged

This just might be a tad bit easier - it's the same idea that Tashasdaddy recommended but use a moisture meter. Go to Home Cheapo, Lowes - wherever and get a meter that's used for reading moisture in plant soil. The hole you will need to drill will be 1/8 " and the length of the probe itself will be about 6". Plenty deep enough to get into the foam. Thinking that the foam and plant soil probably have the same density you just might be able to get a good enough reading. Just thinking out loud basically. If nothing else you've got a smaller hole to patch.

 

[rndn]

Re: WaterLogged

That's not true that sometimes fiberglass boat become heavy with water, something is wrong. As mentioned above something needs to be fixed. In order for the boat to sit several inches lower than normal, does not sound like a safe situation.