Breathability

I have wooden decked fiberglass hulls. On the rebuild, I did not put any portholes in.
The only expected ventilation occurs when I take off the 1 inch drain plug on each hull.

Any thoughts or concerns? all the wood on the inside has at least a light coat of epoxy on it.

Thanks,
Rob

 

Add ventilation.
Increase interior epoxy thickness.
Water vapor is insidious it will penetrate a light cost of epoxy and start the rotting of your wood deck.

 

Desiccant materials are available to soak up moisture, how you get that in and retrieve it through 1 inch holes sounds like the problem

 

Is this query in relation to the American Shark Cat in the photos on your profile?

Did you start a thread on here about your re-build?

I would agree with Blueknarr and Mr E above re the effects of moisture , which could cause problems further down the road for you.

 

The two gods of wood catamaran building Skip Banks and Terry Richards ( Patient Ladies IV & V) didn't put hatches in because they figured if the boats never leaked, there would be no water in the hulls. If there was no water in the hulls, there would be no water vapor.
The boats didn't leak.
All they had were little vent holes in the upper transom to equalize the pressure inside and outside the hull.
One spring day, PLIV's bow blew open. Wasps had made a nest in the vent hole, as the boat got hot the internal air got bigger and had no where to go. The pressure identified the stem as the weakest link.
I buy the argument that if the b0oat doesn't leak it doesn't need ventilation. But if it leaks it certainly does need hatches. I launch new boats hoping for no leaks, but often have to put hatches in.
SHC

 

I'd agree with all of that, Steve. The thing to remember is that it's water vapor, not water that can penetrate epoxy. That's why decks go first. The condensation collects on the undersides of the decks. I think keeping the insides dry, but being able to drop desiccant packs through small waterproof ports can work. My old motorboat is based on very old plywood Tornado hulls. I've kept them going by keeping the insides bone dry.

 

Decks are probably the hardest working area of a boat if thought about.
As Russell says, water vapour (from condensation) is a fact of life in any enclosed space.
As decks work, (sailing stress's, foot traffic), the underside veneer of plywood suffers from creep fracture, ie the veneer seperates longitudinally.
Over time, moisture can penetrate the veneer and if spoor exists then rot can be the outcome.
I have been glassing the inside of plywood boats for over 20yrs, especially the undersides of decks.
This serves two purposes.
1. It seriously strengthens the deck which reduces flex and reduces the chance of creep fracture enormously.
2. It also contributes to the stiffness of the whole boat.
I have opened up sealed compartments years later to find them dry, fresh and sweet smelling.
Obviously only use epoxy.
Hope this is of use.
Regards Bob

 

And yet about the best way to install a leak is to install a hatch !

 

Bob Oram:
If you like glass, you will love Kevlar.
A ply of 70 g/m^2 hits way above its weight.
SHC

 

If you like glass, you will love Kevlar.
A ply of 70 g/m^2 hits way above its weight.
SHC

 

Hello Steve,
In Oz, carbon and kevlar are not wildly different in price but I find carbon much easier to use (it also has better structural property's) . It is generally more compacted making it easier to wet out, therefore getting a better finish, using peel ply or not.
Whereas kevlar has to have a light layer of eglass and peel ply over it to get a sandable finish without turning into cotton wool .
Regards
Bob

 

Further to the above though and I feel this very important,
You must wear very very good masks and protective gear when sanding carbon in particular.

 

Just FYI you can stop Kevlar going fluffy by with wet sanding with wet and dry paper, yes you then have to burn of the water with a heat gun but it works ok for small repairs and patches. Kevlar is apparently very hydroscopic which puts a lot of people off especially with carbon being an alternative.
When Kevlar first became popular there was no carbon.

 

Still thinking about this as I put the boat away for storage (plugs out).... I really hate to cut holes in the deck until I get damaged in a race- then I know right where to locate the porthole!