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Wood rot

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kmuleadams
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Wood rot

Post by kmuleadams » Mon Sep 12, 2016 8:17 am

This is my first fresh water wood boat. In the past I never worried about water in the bilge since salt water preserves wood. I am worried about possible rot in my 46 17 foot runabout since I get some water in the bilge and not all of it drains. My boat is presently dry storage since a wet slip is currently unavailable. Looking for advice.

jfrprops
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Re: Wood rot

Post by jfrprops » Mon Sep 12, 2016 9:47 am

Leaving fresh water in her is going to be a problem just as you suggest. I have a shop vac dedicated to just pulling blige water out of boats after a run.

John in Va.
1980 Fairchild Scout 30
19?? custom Argentine Runabout 16'
1954 Whirlwind deluxe dual ckpt 16'
1921 Old Town Charles River 17' (founding Captain, James River Batteau Festival)

kmuleadams
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Re: Wood rot

Post by kmuleadams » Mon Sep 12, 2016 5:29 pm

Thanks,
I went and purchased one myself because of my concern with the water. Have thought of making some salt water to put in bilge to help against possible rot. How much water do you get usually.

jfrprops
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Re: Wood rot

Post by jfrprops » Mon Sep 12, 2016 7:04 pm

well, I am not typical I guess.....because my boat dries out so I put water IN.....and yes it is fresh water at home from the hose.....I let it swell some and drip out less and less....then vac out any standing water....after a run there is likely to be quite a bit more...so I vac that out.

but that is just me.

John in Va.
1980 Fairchild Scout 30
19?? custom Argentine Runabout 16'
1954 Whirlwind deluxe dual ckpt 16'
1921 Old Town Charles River 17' (founding Captain, James River Batteau Festival)

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Bilge Rat
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Re: Wood rot

Post by Bilge Rat » Tue Sep 13, 2016 6:25 am

Just a note; salt water may have some benefits to helping deter wood rot spores from damaging the wood but it is very hard on the silicon bronze fasteners used to secure everything below the water line. With continuous wetting and drying exposure the bronze loses the zinc component and only brittle brass remains to hold everything together.
1966 Lyman Cruisette 25 foot "Serenity Now!"
1953 Chris Craft Sportsman 22 foot "Summerwind"

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Doug P
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Re: Wood rot

Post by Doug P » Tue Sep 13, 2016 4:26 pm

Having my wood Grand Banks on Lake Washington, I was able to go into Puget Sound and open sea-cocks allowing saltwater into bilge. When going back up into the lake, I was able to pump out the saltwater...an easy way to "pickle" the wood and clean any growth off the bottom.

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tkhersom
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Re: Wood rot

Post by tkhersom » Wed Sep 14, 2016 6:20 am

It is always interesting to me to read about what different situations create for issues and concerns. The boats I steward go in the water in the spring, sit on moorings all summer, and are pulled in the fall. In this case the hulls and bilges are wet all summer. (one in salt water, one in fresh water) Come fall I will vac and sponge the bilge dry as part of my winter storage process, but I don't have to think about it on a regular basis during the usage months. It is fascinating to me to think that you may have to be concerned about this every time you go for a ride. My biggest concern is that the bilge pump does not die on me. :D
Troy in ANE - Former President CCABC

1957 CC 21' Continental "Yorktown" (Mom's boat)
https://www.chris-craft.org/boats/22625/
1985 Formula 242LS "Gottago"
1991 Formula 36PC "Band Aids"

Life Is Too Short To Own An Ugly Boat

Peter M Jardine
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Re: Wood rot

Post by Peter M Jardine » Wed Sep 14, 2016 4:42 pm

Cold salt water has some value in keeping rot from advancing. It does not prevent it. The only real biocides are Copper Napthenate, or Copper arsenate. Arsenic is only currently available in commercial use wood preservatives, but it is very effective.

jfrprops
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Re: Wood rot

Post by jfrprops » Thu Sep 15, 2016 10:28 am

vac out the bilge and "Go Boating".......

John in Va.
1980 Fairchild Scout 30
19?? custom Argentine Runabout 16'
1954 Whirlwind deluxe dual ckpt 16'
1921 Old Town Charles River 17' (founding Captain, James River Batteau Festival)

kmuleadams
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Re: Wood rot

Post by kmuleadams » Fri Sep 16, 2016 7:10 pm

As this was my first post having just joined in August is I appreciate all those that responded to my post. I hope to have the boat in the water next year full time and hopefully that will help with the bilge. My plans are to add an additional battery with a solar trickle charger and maybe 2 additional bilge pumps. My last boat that I built was ocean going so I feel better with backup systems. This is a fun boat and I hope to keep it in good shape. Thanks again for the advice.

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Jim Godlewski
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Re: Wood rot

Post by Jim Godlewski » Sun Sep 18, 2016 8:04 am

Where is the water coming in from and how old is the bottom?
1956 17 Sportsman CC-17-2310
1930 Model 100 7152

Bismarck
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Re: Wood rot

Post by Bismarck » Mon May 24, 2021 11:03 am

Water will accumulate in my 17 as well. Its dry storage, but I will dry as much as I can so that only a few small puddles remain. It being florida and warm the water evaporates within about 6-7 hours. Is this ok?

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tkhersom
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Re: Wood rot

Post by tkhersom » Mon May 24, 2021 2:00 pm

Bismarck wrote:
Mon May 24, 2021 11:03 am
Water will accumulate in my 17 as well. Its dry storage, but I will dry as much as I can so that only a few small puddles remain. It being florida and warm the water evaporates within about 6-7 hours. Is this ok?
It "should" be ok, your problem may actually be that your boat dries out too much in the Florida heat. Good luck!
Troy in ANE - Former President CCABC

1957 CC 21' Continental "Yorktown" (Mom's boat)
https://www.chris-craft.org/boats/22625/
1985 Formula 242LS "Gottago"
1991 Formula 36PC "Band Aids"

Life Is Too Short To Own An Ugly Boat

Bismarck
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Re: Wood rot

Post by Bismarck » Tue May 25, 2021 11:10 am

Yes this is what I have been told. I think I might be taking on water due to the bottom being so dried out. Please see my post in the thread below.

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