posted 09-27-2013 09:48 AM ET (US)        

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I'm new to this site and am the new owner of a 1982 Montauk. This is the first boat I've owned but I did spend five years running Montauks as a marine police officer. However, That was 25 years ago and I know I've forgotten a lot and much has changed.

The hull had always been trailered and did not have a bilge pump. Two days after we put it in the water we had a big rain storm and we were going to be out of town. Remembering my old days of Whaler care I opted to pull the plug and let gravity keep it from sinking. I remembered the boats getting a few inches of water and no more. I pulled the plug but didn't stick around to see how much water it would take on. That was a mistake. On returning the next day the boat had about six inches at the stern and extended up to the console. This in itself shouldn't have been a big deal but it turns out there were some very small holes/cracks in the deck (repainted with two- part Interlux two years ago)and now there is water beneath the deck. The are two soft areas, one about 18" square near the starboard stern and the other about 6" square port side next to RPS. The glass has come away from the plywood/foam (maybe 1/8"?) so there are voids. By stepping or pressing on the deck near the cracks water can be forced out.

Our mechanic suggests just letting it sit until spring with the hope that it will dry out over the winter. He will then inject resin into the voids and everything will be fine. Frankly, I don't see how the water can evaporate through the tiny cracks that it, apparently, came in through.(The bottom of the hull is nearly perfect and there were no soft spots when we got it). I think it might be necessary to cut out some of the deck to allow the water to evaporate and then re-glass and paint. I'm concerned that the plywood is going to rot or water remaining will freeze over the winter making things even worse. Is there a viable way of sucking the water out? Either through the existing flaws or by enlarging them? Indoor storage is not an option. I've read that turning the hull upside down helps but I don't know that that is a realistic choice, either.

posted 09-27-2013 12:35 PM ET (US)            

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It sounds like you have a problem that started long before that once instance of flooding the cockpit.

Once the water is in the foam and under the deck, you have no real options for getting it out other than cutting out the cockpit floor in that area and removing the wet foam. Since you already have a rotten and delaminated area of your cockpit I would recommend taking on the project sooner than later.

posted 09-27-2013 02:37 PM ET (US)            

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You could try vacuum bagging the area. That might draw out some water.

There is always concern about entrapped water in the hull of a Boston Whaler boat. See the FAQ for some more advice:

Q3: Is There Water In My Hull?
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/FAQ/#Q3

Note there is a link to the FAQ on every page of the discussion area.

posted 09-27-2013 07:25 PM ET (US)            

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Jim,

Vacuum bagging will not draw moisture up and out in any significant quantity. Also the vacuum used to create the draw on the bagging system should not have water pumped through it.

posted 09-29-2013 09:57 AM ET (US)            

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When I used the phrase "vacuum bagging" I did not mean to suggest that one should employ the same technique of vacuum bagging as used to exert a compressive force onto laminated components as they are curing that is used in the construction of laminated boats. What I intended to convey, and perhaps did a poor job in explaining, was to suggest that the area where it is suspected that water has intruded and become saturated in the foam be closed off and covered, and that a pump be used to create a suction or negative pressure or partial vacuum by which the water might be encouraged to move out of the foam and toward the source of the negative pressure. And, indeed, if this process were successful, the pump would have to tolerate some moisture passing through it.

An alternative method of encouraging the water to leave the foam is to use a higher pressure of air, passing the air over, through, and around the area where water is suspected, in the hope that the air blowing through this area will pick up water by evaporation into water vapor, and the water vapor will be carried away in the flow of air.

As the FAQ mentions or suggests or implies in a subtle but ever-present manner, removal of water from the foam interior of a Boston Whaler boat is difficult, and there is no sure-fire method, or easy cure, or fast procedure that can accomplish the removal with little or no labor or cost.

posted 09-30-2013 07:28 AM ET (US)            

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I would suggest using a shop vacuum on the largest hole and allow another hole to let air in to remove the water. The take a look at the link below to repair the area. My repair has lasted beautifully for years, with no sign of problems.

http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/005958.html

If I were to do it all again, I would consider the new West System Six 10 epoxy. More money, but it looks very convenient and simple. Just have enough on hand before you start.
http://www.westsystem.com/ss/new-six10-epoxy-adhesive/