89 Arriva battery compartment wet rot help??

[MikeyArriva1]

Hey guys .Been awhile since Ive been on here. Can't even get on my original account. I have an 89 20ft Bayliner Arriva sterndrive I noticed last summer it was sitting lower on the back right while at the dock but didnt have a chance to look into it .So getting her ready today i opened up the rear sun pad and was able to poke my finger through a rotted area in the floor. Feels like there is something wet underneath too. Is this some sort of foam? Forgive me I dont know much about this but trying to learn. Am I in big trouble?? Can i cut out the flooring and pull out whatever is wet under there? What would i replace it with? Left side is solid but right is not. I figured its just constantly a slow leak around the sun pad when it rains but also seeing a small 3mm hole in the glass at the back of the boat now that im writing this and not sure how deep it goes. Any help would be much Appriciated thanks so much
mike

 

[Scott Danforth]

start by reading link 14 in its entirety

https://forums.iboats.com/forum/boa...r/295740-how-to-s-and-other-great-information

 

[AShipShow]

You could be lucky and just waterlogged in that area, but odds are on an 89 Bayliner, you have a full gut job in your future... Best bet would be to drill some test holes in the bottom of the transom and stringers and assess the situation... Light brown dry wood chips means ay-okay, patch the holes and go boating... Dark wet wood/mush means its all gotta be replaced... But no worries, most everyone in this section of the forum is in the same... well, boat... as you

 

[MikeyArriva1]

Uhhgg .That sounds scary drilling through the transom. So I can't just cut out this chipboard and dig out the foam or whatever is under it? Guess that's a question too. Whats under it?? It's only soft in that back right section.

 

[MikeyArriva1]

​

 

[AShipShow]

Should have floatation foam underneath which is part of the problem... foam eventually will absorb water... If your boat is bad enough, you might pull out over 500# of wet foam.

And to your other question, you COULD just repair the soft spot, but you run the risk of more costly repairs later on when the boat suffers severe structural damage is the transom or stringers totally give out.

Why remove the motor and interior and NOT fix it properly...

 

[MikeyArriva1]

Ok thanks ..i was just wondering if it could be a starting point for me to cut out the wood in that area and the foam before tearing everything out

 

[Scott Danforth]

the floor is the last thing to rot. you are probably carrying about 700-900# of water in the boat in the foam and rotten wood.

read the link I posted. then go from there.

if you love the boat and you want to restore it, get your wife's blessing as you will be ignoring your family for weeks and spending about $5k doing itchy fiberglass work. however we will be here to support.

 

[MikeyArriva1]

Well damn .That won't be happening first baby on the way in September so I won't be getting that blessing .All she wants is to be on the lake all summer. Was hoping it was just water through the sunpad that rotted the floor when i found water in the battery box .Crap sakes. I do love this boat. My second arriva. But may have to let her go to someone with money and time. Ill read that post when I get some time .Thanks for the input.