I have an answer to the spray foam ? I posted

[elkhunter338]

Well I was really wondering if the foam under the floor was water soaked and causing corrosion so tonight I cut a hole in the floor inside the cuddy cabine to inspect the boat. I cut a 20x28 hole. What I found was the foam was not soaking up water, the spray foam was not soaking up water either.
However the boat was real moist under the floor because there was no way for air to circulate and dry out the bilge. There was no corrosion where the foam was touching the alum.
I now have a 20x28 access door and I plan to get some rubbermate containers so I can store stuff under the floor.
I would love a custom fit alum fish box, but that is not in the budget.

I plan to leave the hatch open to let air circuilate under the floor and dry things out in the off season.

 

[GLG fishing]

Re: I have an answer to the spray foam ? I posted

Elkhunter that?s great news. Bet that?s a weight off your shoulders. Most guys I know don?t like their aluminum fish boxes. It seems to cook the fish because you can?t keep ice for more that a few hours. A cooler or a styrofoam box seems to work much better. A coleman cooler (coffin) with strong handles seem to be ticket, as you never know when you need to haul 100 pounds of fish to the cleaning station. I have heard great reports on kill bags. The tuna crowd tell me that?s the best. We don?t have them up here but I sure would like to try one.
GLG

 

[fishrdan]

Re: I have an answer to the spray foam ? I posted

Yeah, I agree with an aluminum fish box not being good. I have a plastic livewell 10x10x50 that I use as a fish box and the ice would burn up quickly. I couldn't imagine what an aluminum box would be like. After wasting a catch (driving home with the fish in the livewell and them going south) I lined the livewell sides with 1" insulation and the aluminum lid with 1" of closed cell foam. The ice lasts 3-4 times longer now that air can't flow around the box and the lid is insulated.

 

[fshngho]

Re: I have an answer to the spray foam ? I posted

Elkhunter, not really sure if this is about a livewell or corrosion, but if you know me I have to put in my 2 cents. I am sure I will be corrected if wrong, but the problem is as you said. If there is no way for any area to dry out then you will have rot or corrosion. Even a typical pine 2x4 will last in a wet envirionment if it can dry out. OK, lets put it this way. I install aluminum storefronts and glass, if I do not allow for water drainage there will be a leak or worse, deterioration due to materials being subject to moisture. Most ANY situation requires that water be allowed to drain or dry.
As far as the livewell, I want a built in one for my boat but alas I may have to go with the tried and true method of a big cooler.:redface:
Merry Christmas!!

 

[Starman8]

Re: I have an answer to the spray foam ? I posted

Not sure what this thread is specifically about, but will pitch in the following:

Trapped water/moisture coming from where? General leakage, rain, waves over the bow, swimmers with wet feet, or poor coverage?

Livewells are for tournaments, coolers are for meat!

Driving back from the lake. Nice weather, keep cover off, plug should be out. Open all lids and hatches when you get home. I have even heard of a few guys who have new Star's use fans and blowers after a wet day
along with using mother nature.

Whether a $1000 boat investment or $40,000, I see uncovered boats sitting out absorbing the elements, some even filled with snow? Don't know why. The first dollar should be spent on coverage, even the cheap plastic ones you can get. During the boating season driveway storage, I double cover my boat. The travel cover on tight and the cheap tarp over that.

When sunny weather abounds, I always uncover, open the lids and bilge and dry her out. On my 79 SS18, I purposely cut the bow tip deck piece a little short for ventilation. On the two raised decks, I installed a vent plate on each.

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: I have an answer to the spray foam ? I posted

Ok got to clarify.
Water gets in the boats from rain, washing down the floor and such while fishing. I drain the bilge on the way home, then the boat sits in a dry shop when not in use. Moisture in the bilge comes from fishing and until last night there was no air circulation under the floor because the only holes in the floor is where the engine sits.

Fish box idea is a no for me since I do not fabricte alum. I am sticking with my big cooler that I have mounted inthe cabin. I pump water in and drain out of the cooler to keep the fish cool and clean the blood away. Most of the time the water is 48-52 degs. So no problem with keeping fish good for time spent out fishing.

I think I am going to get some rubber mate boxes to store stuff below the floor. I plan to post some pictures this winter after I get the access hatch done, find some storage containers and such. Atleast under the floor is airing out as we speak.