Rot?

[keith4216]

I read thread after thread of boats being redone. They all seem to be the smaller boats. I can't recall any Convincors and up being redone. I know the bigger ones aren't as old but there's the same age smaller ones rotting. Why are the smaller mates more prone to the rot and rebuilding?

 

[Big Red]

PEOPLE TEND TO TAKE CARE OF MORE EXPENSIVE ITEMS

 

[CHECK16]

This is just a theory.
But I would think that it is because a smaller boat probably gets used for water sports more.Meaning that there is a lot more in and out with wet people.And then like BR said no care.

I know that after a day of wake boarding/tubing there is always water in the bilge area that will just sit there if not drained by pulling the plug.The bilge pump does not remove the moisture that gets trapped in the bilge area folks.This is also why I did the pirrelli flooring so the carpet does not hold moisture against the floor.

I am pretty anal about my lil' Check and always pull the plug and open up the rear seat area to air out after use.I even go as far as setting a small fan blowing into the bilge area for a couple hours after use.
A lot of people probably just stick there boat in the back yard or garage with no after use care.
Just a thought.

 

[atc250r]

You sound a lot like me Check16. Before you step back in the boat you drip off for a minute on the ladder. When I get home I like to leave the back seat area open, pull the plug, and use a towel to soak up any water trapped in the splash well.

John

 

[hotdaddy27]

This is just a theory.
But I would think that it is because a smaller boat probably gets used for water sports more.Meaning that there is a lot more in and out with wet people.And then like BR said no care.

I know that after a day of wake boarding/tubing there is always water in the bilge area that will just sit there if not drained by pulling the plug.The bilge pump does not remove the moisture that gets trapped in the bilge area folks.This is also why I did the pirrelli flooring so the carpet does not hold moisture against the floor.

I am pretty anal about my lil' Check and always pull the plug and open up the rear seat area to air out after use.I even go as far as setting a small fan blowing into the bilge area for a couple hours after use.
A lot of people probably just stick there boat in the back yard or garage with no after use care.
Just a thought.

You hit the nail on the head. It has nothing to do with $$$. Watersports and the fact that the smaller Checkmates outsell the bigger I/O's 2 to 1. If you sell more you are likely to have more problems.

HD

 

[BagMan]

You sound a lot like me Check16. Before you step back in the boat you drip off for a minute on the ladder. When I get home I like to leave the back seat area open, pull the plug, and use a towel to soak up any water trapped in the splash well.

John

I'm the same way about people on the ladder. I'll also put 2-3 towels across cooler cover and over back seat when stepping in along with 5 or so Shamwow's that are draped across floor. The Shamwow's absorb anything like a sponge and hold it in. Then pick em up immediately and ring em out over the side. Floor and below rear seat has never had any water.

 

[teamhart2]

agree with a fair amount of what others have said, also from what I have seen from people considering restoring some of the bigger boats, it costs a lot more to restore a bigger boat, to the point where you can easily find something in the same price range that doesnt need it, but the differential isnt so big on the smaller boats???

 

[Jimway]

Ya got to keep em clean and dry. If I can't put it on a trailer and haul it home and get it undercover, I don't want it. Guess I'm not the only one who makes everybody remove thier shoes before they get in the Mate. Carry lots of big fluffy cotton towels and make sure everybody uses em. I do a preflight and postflight on the vessel, soap it down, rinse it, and dry it thuroughly outside and in, even leave it open with a air mover blowing for a while too. Makes me shake my head when I see people blast up to the dock, drag the skeg on the ramp as they are powerloading the vessel across the trailer, throw the cockpit cover over a wet interior that still contains drinks and food and use all kind of manner of stuff to hold the boat on the trailer and drive off like its a warmup lap at INDY in May, I'm just sayin.

 

[atc250r]

No shoes until it starts to get cold and by then I'm usually out there by myself. I'm planning on making a throw rug for mine so I can easily remove it and shake the crap out at the end of the day. I keep mine in a pop up garage so it can air out for a few days before I put the full cover over it. All this stuff is a pain but the previous owners took good care of it so I'm just carrying on the tradition. Its easier than replacing the floor in the long run anyways.

 

[ckmate225]

I think the reason for most of the delaminating/rot issues if from improprly installed hardware (skipoles, screws ..ect.) Once you breach the resin seal on any wood the water will get in there and rot will start. You guys are all correct about water getting in there in the first place, if you can avoid its best too. But make sure anything installed is sealed with the correct sealer for the application.

 

[Rob B]

I agree with the others watersports in the smaller mates are more common as oppose to the bigger mates. My mate gets washed, dried, water drained from the bildge area, open all the compartments and anything thing wet was removed after a day on the water. That's after both restos were done. The damage water can do to a uncared for boat boggles the mind.

 

[yellowfiero88]

Who says convincors don't rot??!!
I agree with the watersports causing rot. I would love to see Doug fight this and stop using wood in the new boats. With the assortment of composites out there, there should be something as light and not rot as wood.

I think on the level of bigger boats not rotting, I think the people who can afford the bigger boats, afford to take them somewhere to get fixed. Small boat = Affordable family fun, Big performance boat = Expensive and only good for 1 thing.

 

[Jetmate]

Who says convincors don't rot??!!
I agree with the watersports causing rot. I would love to see Doug fight this and stop using wood in the new boats. With the assortment of composites out there, there should be something as light and not rot as wood.

I think on the level of bigger boats not rotting, I think the people who can afford the bigger boats, afford to take them somewhere to get fixed. Small boat = Affordable family fun, Big performance boat = Expensive and only good for 1 thing.

Even if something was used that did not rot, what would be the result if water still got into that same space? I am thinking it would still be a problem. A new type of problem,,, Delamination or separation, just wondering.

 

[yellowfiero88]

I think if it was composites, checkmate could drill enough drainage holes that the water would run right out. With the composites there would be no fear of having to somehow seal the sides of the hole like with wood products.

 

[Tx91z28]

or if there is a closed cell composite then there would be no issue, since even if water could get into the core it would only do so right at the hole/crack and not work its way through the entire hull

 

[Jetmate]

Vertical and Lateral drainage through a cellular core would do it.

 

[ezstriper]

when I bought my 89 251 many years ago it had just had the engine stringers replaced....somebody had changed the bolsters at some point and never sealed the old bolt holes and the floor had rot from some idiot. took out the floor, removed all the soaked foam..must have weighed 200 lbs...put it new floor....so if they are neglected they will rot no problem !!!