Mark42
Fleet Admiral
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2003
- Messages
- 9,334
Started removing the carpet from the '85 1600 Capri and found what looked like a dent in the plywood deck from a hammer. Looked just like a strong impact with depression. After removing the rest of the carpet I pried at the dent with a screwdriver to find out how much, if any, water got in the ply from the break in the gel coat. Turns out it was a factory plug for a hole that was clear through the plywood! Holy Cow! I have been all through this Bayliner, cutting out the deck for modification and things, and this is the first half assed patch I found. Rather ticked me off. But I have to admit, it held up for 25 years!
Pic shows the plywood deck with no carpet, and a layer of grey sand/dirt. The little holes are where I took a drill and probed for water and the wood shavings are on the deck. The plug I'm holding came from the hole. Its the same orange resin found in other parts of the boat, so I know its OEM.
The hole is dark because I was probing it with my fingers and got the grey dirt down there. But the good news is the test holes around it show dry plywood and foam. Using a screw driver, I pried out foam from the hole, and just about 1/2" into the foam its dry.
I'm taking no chances. Next thing I will cut out a 6x6" piece of the deck and patch in a new one. Tried to use my big circular saw to do a plunge cut but its too big to get in there. I've been wanting a dremmel rotary tool, so this is a good excuse to go get one. Should be able to cut the 5/8" ply fairly easy with a dremmel.
That small depression didn't even show through the carpet. It must have reciently cracked the gel and started letting water in, otherwise it would be really wet in there.
The good news is that everything else is checking out great. No other breaks in the gel and the rear most 18" or so are heavy mat with gel on top right up to the transom. So that part is dry and solid.
So it pays to check under the carpet every now and again. Sure am glad I decided to pull this carpet.
Pic shows the plywood deck with no carpet, and a layer of grey sand/dirt. The little holes are where I took a drill and probed for water and the wood shavings are on the deck. The plug I'm holding came from the hole. Its the same orange resin found in other parts of the boat, so I know its OEM.
The hole is dark because I was probing it with my fingers and got the grey dirt down there. But the good news is the test holes around it show dry plywood and foam. Using a screw driver, I pried out foam from the hole, and just about 1/2" into the foam its dry.
I'm taking no chances. Next thing I will cut out a 6x6" piece of the deck and patch in a new one. Tried to use my big circular saw to do a plunge cut but its too big to get in there. I've been wanting a dremmel rotary tool, so this is a good excuse to go get one. Should be able to cut the 5/8" ply fairly easy with a dremmel.
That small depression didn't even show through the carpet. It must have reciently cracked the gel and started letting water in, otherwise it would be really wet in there.
The good news is that everything else is checking out great. No other breaks in the gel and the rear most 18" or so are heavy mat with gel on top right up to the transom. So that part is dry and solid.
So it pays to check under the carpet every now and again. Sure am glad I decided to pull this carpet.
