OK, now we're getting somewhere. I was doing a little maintenance last night replacing a battery tray. When I lifted it up I found where the factory some 13 years ago had drilled a hole into the platform on which the batteries rest. It is an encased "box" if you will that has no apparent acces. Well, they filled it with foam almost, but never sealed the hole. I discovered that my leak is coming from the rub rail where the cap and hull meet. I intend to fix the problem this winter, but for who knows how long, every time water ran in, before it could make it down to the bilge and be pumped out, some would drop into this hole thus filling the compartments on each side. That's why my boat is so rear heavy. I shop vacced out about 3-4 gallons that I could get last night. How in the world do I get the rest out and dry the interior before sealing without ripping apart the whole rear end of my boat? I may have to anyway, as some of the wood in the platform is weakened. It has no hull integrity relation, but eventually, the shelf will give and I'll have nowhere to put my batteries. I may be up to my eyeballs in glass work this winter. Any suggestions?
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my initial thought is to put it in a heated garage this winter with a dehydrator in the bilge area for a few months if need be, until the boat is bone dry throughout and then seal it tight as a drum. Will this work. Glass guys? Do it yourselfers? I want to sell the boat, but won't screw anybody when I do. It will be a top notch rig when it goes! No hidden "projects" like when I bought it!
fatrap
Well-Known Member
Hey Rob
A couple years ago I was installing a sensor for my depth finder on my 170 DC. You know the (false) speedometer and temp. guage. When I drilled the holes in the fiberglass to screw in the bracket, water came out the holes. I had to leave it drain for awhile and resorted to shop vacuming the holes. Finally got em dry and screwed and siliconed the bracket on.
Now you've got me paranoid, My boat always seems to be butt end heavy. Kind of like my women. I'm wondering if there is water filling the voids in my boat. Do you or anyone else know if this is possible or just the gas tank three batteries, anchor, and paddle? The bilges in my boat are always bone dry unless I've had one of those Perfect Storms days.
fatrap
A couple years ago I was installing a sensor for my depth finder on my 170 DC. You know the (false) speedometer and temp. guage. When I drilled the holes in the fiberglass to screw in the bracket, water came out the holes. I had to leave it drain for awhile and resorted to shop vacuming the holes. Finally got em dry and screwed and siliconed the bracket on.
Now you've got me paranoid, My boat always seems to be butt end heavy. Kind of like my women. I'm wondering if there is water filling the voids in my boat. Do you or anyone else know if this is possible or just the gas tank three batteries, anchor, and paddle? The bilges in my boat are always bone dry unless I've had one of those Perfect Storms days.
fatrap
David Jordan
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I'm no expert on this but I think you need airflow to attemp to dry this out
You may need to drill a hole to get circulation. I would put a fan over the hole and force air to flow thru the cavity. Dehidrator also sounds good. Maybe useing an air comprssor or small heater set on low w/ a fan. Bob B at marine USA could help on this one. You know I'm going to check out my 1800tf for the same problem and see if I have water also. The bilge area always get's water in it due to the no setback transom and water gets in when you come off plane if your not carfull.
You may need to drill a hole to get circulation. I would put a fan over the hole and force air to flow thru the cavity. Dehidrator also sounds good. Maybe useing an air comprssor or small heater set on low w/ a fan. Bob B at marine USA could help on this one. You know I'm going to check out my 1800tf for the same problem and see if I have water also. The bilge area always get's water in it due to the no setback transom and water gets in when you come off plane if your not carfull.
Dave, do you know where I mean? It's on both sides too. I had the same thing Fatrap did. When I installed a new ducer this spring, water came out. I knew there was a problem, but have been months in diagnosing the cause before I can begin on a solution. I can take pics and post if need be. What I did on the driver side was drilled a hole down on the side in the bilge area right on the bottom so it can drain almost entirely. Then I vacced it out, and put a plug in. I drilled the hole the same size as a transom plug, so I could buy an extra plug at the store and put it in there and tighten it. It allows circulation and drainage, but not complete. I will let you guys know what I do and how it works.
BTW for Stan, Dave, and other TF 1800 owners. Buzz clocked my boat this weekend on the GPS at 56 mph with 2 full sized adults, tourney load, and full wells and gas tank. My bet is alone, just my gear and empty wells, I'll push near 60 mph. That is with the rebuilt GT 150 of course and a 3 blade SS prop for top end. With the hydrofoil I get great hole shot so don't need a 4 blade and keep the top end advantage of 3 blades. Don't recall my pitch or diameter off had though. It is the stock Raker but has been repitched and cupped. I also have the motor set perfect too. Once I get this A$$ weight out from the water, I think it will be even better. With new seats and a keelguard, I might just keep the old girl as a back up boat. I compared it to an '87 I saw on the water this weekend and mine looks GREAT compared to that. I still have a lot of shine left and very little stress cracking. I really need to take some pics to post!
