Trying to remove water from Storage Compartment (PICTURE ENCLOSED)

[Galaxytandy]

Hello Boaters,
This weekend I had pulled out my carpet in my storage compartment and found some NASTY smelling water collected underneath the carpet. Every single time I try wiping it, it re appears. Is there anything I can do to stop this water from coming out. Any type of a sealant of some sort? Thanks
Chris

 

[jbcurt00]

Where ever that water is, you WANT it to come out.

This is your new to you 1988 Galaxy w OMC I/O?

Doubt its your engine leaking, moving to boat topics

 

[Scott Danforth]

Pretty sure your going to be pulling the floor and remove wet foam and replace rotting stringers and bulkheads

 

[Galaxytandy]

Jbcurt thank you for re directing this topic! It's for sure not engine at all! I pulled the carpet out allready (nasty needs to be replaced). There's a pipe as you can see that runs along that floor board! Every single time I wipe that water rebappears!! Irritating! Smells disgusting! I have the boat on my driveway should I place a jack under it and tilt the bow up?

 

[jbcurt00]

Chock the trailer tires and raise the bow.

But I agree w Scott. Theres likely some work ahead.

If the water stinks, its been below decks for a while......

 

[Galaxytandy]

Ok thank you Scott and Jbcurt. So once and if I can get that leak to stop! What do I seal that with or would I need to do something else!

 

[Old Ironmaker]

I feel for you Man. You would need to determine the root cause of the leak before sealing anything I would think. Sealing the water out of the compartment doesn't anything to keep water from the boat. What is the purpose of that "pipe". It appears a floor tear out is in order. There is a shelf life of a boat. An 88 isn't exactly ancient for a boat. You need to ask what you are willing to do or budget for to refurbish the boat. You are in the right place for guidance for sure. Unfortunately we have dug more than a few holes with the Back Hoe in the back 40 of buddies farm and more than a few glass boats have a final respectful resting place. Just today I took all manner of accessories off of an old Tri Hull from the 70's that is destined for land fill. The steering wheel with the finger grooves and chrome horn actuator is a classic and would bring a pretty penny for a restorer. I always joke in 500 years if someone is doing some archaeology here will ask when the land was underwater because there has to be 10 glass boats buried back there now. Aluminum to the scrap yard.

 

[Galaxytandy]

Iron maker i understand! I just placed some blocks under tow hitch and jacked it up higher and a lot more water started coming out! I hope there's no leak in the hull! I have taken this boat out allready and didn't seem to see any issues. With leaking! This boat was sitting out in the rain for a while while it was getting worked on! Not sure if some water made its way down to the Bay Area! I will examine in the morning to see if it's still draining! Thank you all for the awesome responses!

 

[Scott Danforth]

unfortunately, the most likely scenario is that you have wet foam and rotten stringers. if that is the case, it will never dry out and get better and sealing it as you want to do is the worst thing you could ever do

read link 14 in its entirety http://forums.iboats.com/forum/boat...r/295740-how-to-s-and-other-great-information

 

[Old Ironmaker]

I am a tinny guy and don't know much about glass boats other than taking the de oxidizer and polish to them. A very recent thread here somone is sourcing a possible leak in an Aluminium. It was suggested he pour water into the bilge and have someone below and watch for leak(s). Boats were designed to keep water out and the stress of that weight especially on a trailer is not a good thing to do. I won't suggest doing that but can tell you I have and found a crack quickly on a Lund I bought before I knew better. It was coming out as fast as I was pumping it in. Thank goodness I had the dealer pencil in a 7day leak warranty. Someone with glass experience will be along shortly as well I'm sure. I thought I had a leak a few years back because my battery compartment was getting water in it every trip. Turned out the trasducer for the Humminbird was creating a Rooster Tail an pouring into the compartment. H-Bird makes a rubber insert that snaps into the transducer, problem she go away. It was supposed to be free but the dealer charged me 5 bucks Canadian, That's about 50 cents USD. I was more than happy to pay it. I wish you the best of luck man. I bet it is something simple.

That thread is titled "how much water?" on this page.

 

[Galaxytandy]

So it appears that the water has stopped emerging from that area. I managed to place three blocks under the bow area of the trailer to raise it up! No more water! I don't know where to start tearing it down to find the rotten wood you guys were referring too!
Chris

 

[Alumarine]

So it appears that the water has stopped emerging from that area. I managed to place three blocks under the bow area of the trailer to raise it up! No more water! I don't know where to start tearing it down to find the rotten wood you guys were referring too!
Chris

It usually involves ripping/cutting the floor out anyway you can.
Have you checked the transom?

 

[JimS123]

The boat I had many years ago had a similar pipe. It was intended to drain the innards of the hull if it got wet. Whenever I came home I always tipped the boat up and drained it. No smell, just clean water.

If the guts are rotten you probably will have soft spots on the floor. If you don't, it may not be too severe yet.

Just don't let any water in the boat! Garage storage, a cover, etc. is mandatory for a FG boat. If you go swimming and a little bit gets in, drain it and dry it out. If you are sure that no water got in and you still have water, then you have a leak and you need to go to plan B.

 

[Scott Danforth]

there are DIY stickies at the top of the restoration forum. read link 14

 

[Galaxytandy]

Thank you for the info

 

[Brandon5778]

Just don't let any water in the boat! Garage storage, a cover, etc. is mandatory for a FG boat. If you go swimming and a little bit gets in, drain it and dry it out. If you are sure that no water got in and you still have water, then you have a leak and you need to go to plan B.

You just can't stress this last bit enough.. So many people think fiberglass boats are ok to be left out in the rain uncovered. At least get a $30 tarp and wrap it up.

 

[fhhuber]

Tent style cover the boat with good size openings to allow air circulation. Trapping in moisture promotes mildew, fungus, mold... sometimes even mushrooms.

Open hatches too.

Without tearing down and a lot of work... it will take YEARS for that hull to dry out. (and even then the foam and wood will be damaged)

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Before you start ripping floors out simply core drill with a long 1" core bit somewhere it isn't obvious. It will tell you what you have under the floor. Don't drill though the bottom of the hull. Sounds stupid eh? No one would do that, wanna bet.

I know guys that think their boats are water proof, both glass and Aluminium and leave them un tarped all season long. To me that's just insane. However a very close friend, one of my closest, I am his Padawan what ever that means leave his StarCraft open all season long. It has a vinyl floor. The boat has not rotted in the 24 years he has been doing this. Lucky isn't the word to describe him. I've personally checked his bilge when I go to the marina to check mine after a storm, dry as a bone.

 

[fhhuber]

Boats can handle water... IF YOU DRAIN IT AND LET IT DRY.

The main issue with rain in a typical bass boat on the trailer is when it doesn't drain. The drain hole gets plugged by leaves or a lure wrapper or whatever managed to get down in the bilge, and the water STAYS in the boat. That gives it time to soak into the foam. That's when the problems start.

Just don't let the water stay in long enough to soak the foam and provide good airflow to have the boat dry out.

A "tented" tarp over the boat to deflect leaves and most of the water, but still allow air circulation can be better for preserving the boat than a custom fit boat cover that has little to no ventilation. A custom fit cover seals up too well to the hull and you can get mold, mildew and sometimes mushrooms growing in your boat if it is sealed up while wet inside.

I've had my sailboat with the sails just laying in the boat (not neatly folded) in my driveway all winter with just a tarp supported by the mast and tied down... NO mold, mildew or any issues at all because water that does get in can easily evaporate and go away. I check the drain occasionally to ensure no leaves are plugging it. It may get wet... it dries out in a reasonable time.

 

[Alumarine]

I agree with fhhuber. A lot of people think boats are allergic to water.
There are many, many boats that live out in the elements and survive.

The trick is to make sure the water that WILL get in them, gets out. Either through the drain or with a bilge pump.

I left a 16 footer in the water uncovered for 15 years.
I did have to replace the seats. Not a big deal to me for the convenience of being able to just hop in, cast off and go.

Would I prefer to buy a used one that lived indoors, yes. In case some yahoo let water sit in it.