Misterfu02 wrote:
So you use the bow and cockpit and then put the full cover over that?
I looked at an OLD (86) Starcraft bowrider before I bought my FW. It was in good shape, but the prior owner didn't use it for a few years and stored it with the bow and cockpit covers, then a mooring cover, then put a tarp over that. When I checked the floors, stringers, and motor mounts, they were all dry rotted. It was stored indoors during that time, too. Of course they could've been like that for years beforehand, but the guy really had no idea about the rot until I showed him.
I could still buy it since it still hasn't moved. Would make for a nice project.
Yea a bow cover, cockpit cover. A full cover over that. Then a King Canopy carport as a boathouse over that. Just today I heated it to 70 degrees inside then opened both ends let the heat out. Moisture goes with it.
I just gutted and did a full restore on this thing. Thread is over at iboats. I remember last year inside all out and covered with dust. if your going to find water intrusion those are the prefect circumstances. Nothing shows water like dust.
They leak between the bow and cockpit covers. That water runs into the skii locker and keeps it soaked. Runs under the bow seating and soaks everything in the forward storage. Second largest offender is the engine vents. Cockpit covers don't cover them and the water runs in and keeps the floors soaked.
Real deal is no water should be getting on the covers. They are for temp use and trips and leak like a sieve. Once the water is in it needs uncovered and dried. A roof over it is the best bet. 138 bucks for the boathouse. Yes I get weird if water hits the covers even.
I heat it and once the water is in the air in the heated boat. Open front and back let it just leave the boat moisture and all. Wrap it back up a week or so.
After restoring this thing I want it not to do this again.
I am simply the messenger here. But from my teachers on the restoration forum. There is no dry rot. It was wet and the wood delaminated. It rotted while being soaking wet a long long time. Then it dried back out.
Factory boats the wood was not sealed well at all. So water finds raw wood and it soaks in. Wood through capillary action spreads the water to any wood it is touching. Fiberglass keeps the wood from drying out.
On the skii locker bottom of decking is usually raw wood. Inside the tank area is poorly sealed because you cant see it and they dont care. Boats design life is 10-15 years. If it lasted forever you wouldn't need a new one.
Little critters clog the drains. Rain is coming in constantly. Nobody checks a boat for water till they ruin one. Or get a ruined one like I did and have to fix it. Skii locker and tank areas fill to the top and freeze it is ugly. Most use it till season is over. Don't think or care about it till spring. Then open it and it stinks from water sitting in it all winter.
Then they think wow I screwed that up. Unblock the drains let it sit with no covers in the sun. Swear they took care of it and sell it as quick as they can.