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Author Topic:   Are Whalers really sponges?

jps posted 01-26-2003 01:21 AM ET (US)
I was talking with a couple of folks who own a davit manufacturing company. These folks have been in business a long time and have worked with a lot of whalers. They've experienced quite a number of whalers that've taken on substantial weight over a period of use.
I have to say, I do think my whaler is way heavier than it's original dry weight. I'm going to trailer it to a scale to see in the next couple of weeks but I thought I'd ask the experts...
Thanks for any info.
jps
Buckda posted 01-26-2003 12:59 PM ET (US)
Hey jps-
I'm not sure that your question is really clear.
Are Whaler's really sponges? No. I wash mine regularly and it does not soak up the water from the hose like the sponge I use to wash it with does.
Will a whaler with exposed foam through cracks in the decking or hull absorb water and gain weight? Yes, but a Sea Ray with similar problems will sink. Your Whaler will not.
There are extensive threads on this forum about how to "dry out" a Whaler hull. Good luck to you if you determine that your hull has indeed absorbed some water - it can be drained and repaired, and you've come to the right site to get information on how to do it, but first determine if you need it.
tuna1 posted 01-26-2003 01:00 PM ET (US)
The info you have is correct.The positive of a Whaler is the foam.Also the negative is the foam.But it is not just Whaler that is affected by wet foam.If one goes to any of the other classic boat web sites : Mako,Bertram,Seacraft,Shamrock you will find wet foam cases.I feel it's industry wide problem.The best defence is to treat the foam like wood ,try to keep water away. It can't soak up(for lack of a better description)water if water can't get to it.On a whaler it's very important that every hole thats drilled into the hull be beded with a good lasting sealer,and that every screws be good and tight.In your high school chemistry class you learned Water is the universal solvent. And if left to it's own-it will make it's way into the foam,and if it's up north where it can freeze;it then speeds up the rate water enters the foam.
I have found out that the foam must be mixed exactly 50%A/50%B or one of excess compoents is able to absorb water.Also the foam is not 100% noninterconnecting cells if the foam outerskin is damaged it will allow water to enter into it more eazily.
Not a easy question to answer.It requires owners to be more diligent in maintence to beding ang keeping all screws and bolts good and tight to keep water away and out from inside the hulls.
Taylor posted 01-26-2003 01:07 PM ET (US)
There has been a great deal of discussion about this and some pretty in depth research on the part of resident whaler expert and inquiring mind Tom W. Clark. Read the Chain Saw Whaler thread(s) starting at http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001747.html for a complete picture of this complex problem.
For me, the answer to your question is a qualified yes, they can absorb water, but it does appear (on current ancecdotal evidence) to be a common senario for well maintained boats.
You certainly should weight your boat/trailer and then your tailer alone to try and get at the actually boat weight, and that might tell you if your whaler has absorbed a significant amount of water. Don't forget to subtract for the engine, tanks, fuel and all the other gear before you reach a value. Original weight specifications can be found in the reference section of this website.
You might consider posting what you come up with back to the CSW (Chain Saw Whaler) thread. One more datapoint.
jps posted 01-26-2003 01:31 PM ET (US)
Just to be clear, I didn't intend to target the Whaler as a brand that soaks up water. I have a deep abiding love for the boat and have since I was old enough to lust. It wasn't until I was 45 that I got my own, the dink for an even bigger fantasy.
I'm looking at the new 13 sport (boatshow price in Seattle $9,995 w/merc 40 and trailer) but really can't justify the expense. I'd rather refurbish my 11' sport and maybe invest in a new motor. I love the boat and want to either save it or swap it for a lighter (non-waterlogged) version.
I'll do a search for previous threads. Thanks for your help.
jps
lakeman posted 02-03-2003 01:46 PM ET (US)
Are the newer boats 2000 model year and on , for lack of a better date, less prone to water logging than the older ones?
Bigshot posted 02-03-2003 02:06 PM ET (US)
Nope!
gansett posted 02-03-2003 04:56 PM ET (US)
Boston Whaler Web site says: "Boston Whaler uses a closed cell foam. It does not absorb water.
The only way water can enter between the hulls is through a break in the fiberglass or through an improperly sealed thru-hull drain or attachment. Make it a regular practice to inspect your thru-hull fittings and apply sealant as appropriate.
If water is allowed to enter the hull under pressure, it could cause the foam to separate from the fiberglass. This would form a void where water could sit."
My experience is with older boats, so I can't determine whether this means foam has improved, or BW is exaggerating.
Jimm posted 02-03-2003 06:21 PM ET (US)
Sponges - money or water?????
Monnas Rock posted 02-03-2003 06:40 PM ET (US)
"Money Sponge" is a given! B.O.A.T. Break Out Another Thousand!
As for the foam, it's not a sponge, it just offers lots of air space for water to set around in, Sort of like...a sponge! But it's a GREAT sponge.

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Author	Topic: Are Whalers really sponges?
jps	posted 01-26-2003 01:21 AM ET (US) I was talking with a couple of folks who own a davit manufacturing company. These folks have been in business a long time and have worked with a lot of whalers. They've experienced quite a number of whalers that've taken on substantial weight over a period of use. I have to say, I do think my whaler is way heavier than it's original dry weight. I'm going to trailer it to a scale to see in the next couple of weeks but I thought I'd ask the experts... Thanks for any info. jps
Buckda	posted 01-26-2003 12:59 PM ET (US) Hey jps- I'm not sure that your question is really clear. Are Whaler's really sponges? No. I wash mine regularly and it does not soak up the water from the hose like the sponge I use to wash it with does. Will a whaler with exposed foam through cracks in the decking or hull absorb water and gain weight? Yes, but a Sea Ray with similar problems will sink. Your Whaler will not. There are extensive threads on this forum about how to "dry out" a Whaler hull. Good luck to you if you determine that your hull has indeed absorbed some water - it can be drained and repaired, and you've come to the right site to get information on how to do it, but first determine if you need it.
tuna1	posted 01-26-2003 01:00 PM ET (US) The info you have is correct.The positive of a Whaler is the foam.Also the negative is the foam.But it is not just Whaler that is affected by wet foam.If one goes to any of the other classic boat web sites : Mako,Bertram,Seacraft,Shamrock you will find wet foam cases.I feel it's industry wide problem.The best defence is to treat the foam like wood ,try to keep water away. It can't soak up(for lack of a better description)water if water can't get to it.On a whaler it's very important that every hole thats drilled into the hull be beded with a good lasting sealer,and that every screws be good and tight.In your high school chemistry class you learned Water is the universal solvent. And if left to it's own-it will make it's way into the foam,and if it's up north where it can freeze;it then speeds up the rate water enters the foam. I have found out that the foam must be mixed exactly 50%A/50%B or one of excess compoents is able to absorb water.Also the foam is not 100% noninterconnecting cells if the foam outerskin is damaged it will allow water to enter into it more eazily. Not a easy question to answer.It requires owners to be more diligent in maintence to beding ang keeping all screws and bolts good and tight to keep water away and out from inside the hulls.
Taylor	posted 01-26-2003 01:07 PM ET (US) There has been a great deal of discussion about this and some pretty in depth research on the part of resident whaler expert and inquiring mind Tom W. Clark. Read the Chain Saw Whaler thread(s) starting at http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001747.html for a complete picture of this complex problem. For me, the answer to your question is a qualified yes, they can absorb water, but it does appear (on current ancecdotal evidence) to be a common senario for well maintained boats. You certainly should weight your boat/trailer and then your tailer alone to try and get at the actually boat weight, and that might tell you if your whaler has absorbed a significant amount of water. Don't forget to subtract for the engine, tanks, fuel and all the other gear before you reach a value. Original weight specifications can be found in the reference section of this website. You might consider posting what you come up with back to the CSW (Chain Saw Whaler) thread. One more datapoint.
jps	posted 01-26-2003 01:31 PM ET (US) Just to be clear, I didn't intend to target the Whaler as a brand that soaks up water. I have a deep abiding love for the boat and have since I was old enough to lust. It wasn't until I was 45 that I got my own, the dink for an even bigger fantasy. I'm looking at the new 13 sport (boatshow price in Seattle $9,995 w/merc 40 and trailer) but really can't justify the expense. I'd rather refurbish my 11' sport and maybe invest in a new motor. I love the boat and want to either save it or swap it for a lighter (non-waterlogged) version. I'll do a search for previous threads. Thanks for your help. jps
lakeman	posted 02-03-2003 01:46 PM ET (US) Are the newer boats 2000 model year and on , for lack of a better date, less prone to water logging than the older ones?
Bigshot	posted 02-03-2003 02:06 PM ET (US) Nope!
gansett	posted 02-03-2003 04:56 PM ET (US) Boston Whaler Web site says: "Boston Whaler uses a closed cell foam. It does not absorb water. The only way water can enter between the hulls is through a break in the fiberglass or through an improperly sealed thru-hull drain or attachment. Make it a regular practice to inspect your thru-hull fittings and apply sealant as appropriate. If water is allowed to enter the hull under pressure, it could cause the foam to separate from the fiberglass. This would form a void where water could sit." My experience is with older boats, so I can't determine whether this means foam has improved, or BW is exaggerating.
Jimm	posted 02-03-2003 06:21 PM ET (US) Sponges - money or water?????
Monnas Rock	posted 02-03-2003 06:40 PM ET (US) "Money Sponge" is a given! B.O.A.T. Break Out Another Thousand! As for the foam, it's not a sponge, it just offers lots of air space for water to set around in, Sort of like...a sponge! But it's a GREAT sponge.