SportCraft... Defective flotation?

[Cricket Too]

Does anybody out there know if older SportCrafts had a problem with their flotation getting saturated with water? I have a 1983 17' center console and it sits real low in the stern. I have found that the foam is saturated with water, but I can't find any reason why. The boat has always been trailered and always sat nice in the water until about 2 years ago. There are no cracks anywhere in my hull and there is never any water sitting in the bilge because it is always on a trailer. I have seen some similar models with the same problem and thought it may be common for these models. Any insights would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: SportCraft... Defective flotation?

bump^

 

[JasonJ]

Re: SportCraft... Defective flotation?

Do you store it in the elements, or do you keep it covered when not in use? Rain water can creep in through poorly sealed screws in the floor and deck, and it adds up quick. Does it have an outboard? the bolts holding on could be leaking, any other bolts or screws below the waterline could be leaking. Also, check the hull, and scrapes or gouges that expose figerglass can wick water into the foam. You just have to go over it with a fine tooth comb. The fun part is you may never get the water out of the foam, which means you get to remove the foam and pour in new foam. Good luck...

 

[lakeman1999]

Re: SportCraft... Defective flotation?

If the foam is saturated with water, it is imposible to dry it out. It will never dry out. You can lay it in the hot sun for years, and it will not dry out. Styrafoam is the best insulater available, and the suns heat never penetrates it.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: SportCraft... Defective flotation?

Lake, correct me if I am wrong, but when they started using foam the used an open cell type then once wet would never dry out and then they moved to a closed cell which does not absorb water. Is that right? Any idea when the switchover happened?