1972 KATAMA Hull Weight

[hermit]

My 1972 Katama 16 is now an almost-stripped hull sitting on the trailer. The engine was parted out and the console and other bits are temporarily sorted and stored. The hull, with lifting eyes, bow navigation light, rub rail, and Norman pin, weighs 660-lbs. This weight is much better than I feared and yet more than I hoped.

The two locations where I am fairly sure water has entered the foam are at a 5/8 inch roughly circular hole in the bow locker and around the rigging tunnel entryways.

I am considering replacing all three drain tubes, and thought that procedure would provide an opportunity to inspect the foam in those three areas, and perhaps let some water out of the foam.

Are there any typical or basic or standard procedures for removing water from the foam that are minimally invasive and known to be effective?

I read that the claimed hull weight for a 16' 7" hull through 1972 was 500-lbs. Perhaps a 1972 16' 7" hull weight of 660-lbs does not indicate 160-lbs of water is in the hull.

What is the known actual hull weight range for 16' 7" hulls over the years?

[biggiefl]

I would not be overly concerned with a 660-lbs hull. Whaler also had a reputation for claiming lighter weight than actual.

[Phil T]

Boston Whaler produced the early hulls truly by hand. Finished weights varied significantly boat to boat until the adoption of computers, foam injector machines and other modern manufacturing processes.

How the boat sits in the water is a good indicator of general condition. If it sits, fully rigged, with the static water line below the transom drains, it is a good sign.

[hermit]

Thanks guys. Based on your advice, I won't go looking for trouble. I haven't found any soft spots in the deck or hull. I'll focus on filling screw holes and patching chipped spots and any other locations that look like water can enter the hull.