Help: Checking for water in the hull?

Worrying about water logged foam, is like questioning at the ramp, "is the wind blowing too hard to go fishing?"

If you have to think about it, it probably is... :'(

Only way I know to check for wet foam is to drill a hole,
preferably in a spot where it's easy to fix,
and low enough on the hull, that water will drain out of it if present.

 

Post a picture of the boat when you can, cause if it is the model I'm thinking of I don't think it has a liner (double hull). What makes you think it is too heavy? Is it slow in the water? hard to launch?
If it is the 3 bench model then the floatation will be in the seats I think. If so even if the foam is totally water logged then it might add maybe 40lbs or so and wouldn't make a huge difference. You didn't say what power you are using, it may just be a little underpowered.

 

Weigh it...bathroom scale technique works fine.

 

I really don't think it has a liner from what I see, it looks like another version of the gheenoe and the foam will be in the seats. The seats have drains at the bases usually down the middle so the foam might be wet but not completely soaked so the weight won't be much. My old gheenoe weighed about 120lbs, but it was so awkward to lift I swore it was about 200lbs. Like Brett said just weigh it, no point getting worried especially since you haven't had it in the water yet, it will probably float just perfectly.

 

Drill holes as needed and attach a vacuum pump to drain liquid?
Drill holes as needed and bake hull in sun under black plastic?

 

Spud it sounds like the method used to weigh the boat is flawed. It would be damn hard to fit 10 gallons of water in that boat, IMO. Do a google search for using the bathroom scale. Can you stand the hull up on the transom, on the scale? I just think weighing each end & adding the numbers together is way over estimating the actual weight.

 

This

Or u could find a weigh station, and weigh it

 

Bathroom scale technique for canoe type hulls...

Scale on hard flat surface.
Block of foam, 12" x 8" x 4", on scale, where feet would normally go.
Set keel of hull on foam at balance point of hull.
Foam supports and balances hull, allows reading of scale.

 

He aint got no trailer!

I think Brett's right. Again. 

 

Car top that sucker lol he got it home somehow!

 

lol yea bretts right .... and yes weighing one end at a time will give you a higher number unless you blck up the other end to the exact height of the scale just stand it up and get a buddy to read the scale

 

You'd be suprised at how much a 1' cube of wet foam can weigh. Mine weighed in at 10#



They key to fixing the waterlogged foam (If there is any) is to find a way to remove it, then reinforce the places you cut / drilled or otherwise damaged getting the foam out.

In my opinion, you've got a decent starting point even if it is soaked inside. Don't be too discouraged.

I suggest you do a little research before cutting, plan it out and you could be back in business in a short time. I ran my boat for a year with waterlogged foam and a bunch of sketchy patches on the bottom / sides and transom. Still caught fish, just more slowly. ;D

 

Spud - I can almost guarantee the foam will be wet.

The stuff breaks down with time and then the breakdown creates airspace and the air in the cavity allows for condensation and the condensation is absorbed by the foam that is not suppose to absorb water. Vicious cycle.

Figure out what you want your final outcome to be and go for it.

 

Good luck getting it all out through that hole...

I took over 50lbs of wet foam out from the rear of my RiverHwak and it was a pain. Even with the large openings I cut.

I blew compressed air into the foam filled compartments in my boat and I had a few small pin holes that were blowing bubbles and water...