No Bulkheads?

Discussion in 'Boatbuilding' started by Dillusion, Jul 29, 2025.

  1. Ike
    Joined: Apr 2006
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    Location: Washington State

    Ike Senior Member

    No drains? One of the first things I learned about boats way back in the 60's was, all boats collect water in one way or another (leaks, rain, dew, moisture in the air that condenses on cold surfaces, etc). They also taught me all boats leak! This is why boats have bilges, and really small boats like dinghies are stored upside down. You don't want that water collecting where it's going to soak into wood. This is as true for fiberglass boats as it is for wood boats. You need a way for the water to drain to a place where it can be removed either by a bilge pump (when the boat is in the water) or a drain (when the boat is on a trailer) That's done by what are called limber holes. They aren't really holes. They are just a notch on the bottom of stringers and transverse floors, that allows water to drain aft to a small sump where the bilge pump is. That's why it's important to coat the stringers and transverse pieces with resin or whatever to keep the water from soaking into the wood while it's draining away. If you don't have a way for it to drain then you've trapped it. If you trap water it causes rot. Water can migrate through almost anything, including fiberglass and resin, given enough time.

    PS: Where in Hawaii? I have relatives on Kaua'i. I've been thinking about visiting them.
     
  2. Dillusion
    Joined: Aug 2022
    Posts: 45
    Likes: 3, Points: 8
    Location: Hawaii

    Dillusion Junior Member

    I'm going to have holes in the stringers/bulkheads (if I add) to drain back to the bilge with 2 pumps. The PVC you see is a drain for the floor at the bow. The floor up front does not have the 2x6 to raise it and just sits on the stringers so if water gets up front it currently has to use the PVC to drain. Going to raise the front floor up level with the rest so everything is the same height. Deck is self bailing.

    I live in Kaneohe on Oahu.
     
  3. Ike
    Joined: Apr 2006
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    Location: Washington State

    Ike Senior Member

    That's a good plan.

    The Coast Guard ship I was on went to Oahu back in 1975. Did a little sight seeing, Drove completely around the island. The usual tourist stuff. But most of my time was spent training Coast Guard Cadets to shoot the five inch gun on the ship. Was only there for five days. Beautiful Island. Some day.
     
  4. Dillusion
    Joined: Aug 2022
    Posts: 45
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    Location: Hawaii

    Dillusion Junior Member

    Not the most recent but damn tank was foamed in. At least my stringers look good besides being dirty as hell.

    Ended up cutting out all the 2x6 supporting the floor and just going to redo.
     

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    Last edited: Aug 6, 2025
  5. Ike
    Joined: Apr 2006
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    Location: Washington State

    Ike Senior Member

    Don't get me started on foamed in tanks. Death sentence for metal tanks.
     
  6. Barry
    Joined: Mar 2002
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    Barry Senior Member

    I would be hesitant on putting this much weight forward.
     
    Last edited: Aug 7, 2025
  7. Dillusion
    Joined: Aug 2022
    Posts: 45
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    Location: Hawaii

    Dillusion Junior Member

    Its not going under the seats.

    Got some Moeller 35 gallon saddle tanks. Will have to raise the floor an inch but no big deal I ripped it all out anyways.

    So going to get what I want. 2 Saddle tanks and now my fish box can go right down the center. Going to lay it out this weekend then I can get more pics.

    Completely agree. Surprised it lasted 28 years.
     

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