Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: Wet hull

Posted by Paul A on 08/06/16 - 10:41 AM
#1

SOS. I have a 1967 Montauk with high moisture readings even though not used and stored inside for at least 5 years. Can it be fixed and how. I have time. Without a fix I will have "like new" parts for sale!

A Whaler dealer used a moisture meter that was "pinned" in most side and bottom locations. Outside gel coat is cracked enough that I almost think that expansion from freezing occurred.

Edited by Paul A on 08/06/16 - 10:59 AM

Posted by John Fyke on 08/06/16 - 11:07 AM
#2

Can you weigh the hull?

Posted by Joe Kriz on 08/06/16 - 12:29 PM
#3

Paul A wrote:
SOS. I have a 1967 Montauk

Paul, what length is this boat?
Can't be a Montauk as the Montauk was not made until 1973.
http://www.whalercentral.com/userphot...lbum_id=14

Let us know more about what model you have and length.
http://www.whalercentral.com/userphot...allery.php

Posted by Paul A on 08/06/16 - 4:55 PM
#4

Boat is 16" 7", hull number 35190, which is an "Eastport" without the rear seat or Nauset with rails per original sales literature I have from original owner. I can weigh it but will need to deduct engine and trailer to get to bare hull weight of 500 pounds per literature. Is 1967 sales document bare hull weight accurate and will weight info be useful/accurate after deducting weight of trailer and motor per specs? I can remove everything but engine/trailer. Thank you everyone! Picture attached (I know console is not OEM).

Posted by Paul A on 06/07/17 - 7:13 AM
#5

Update - I very accurately weighed the bare hull and found it is 700 lbs or 200 lbs over the 1968 spec. That's approx 25 gallons of water.

Would it float if full of water?

I did a float test and the boat still sits 3 inches above the old waterline.

Still a great tender after my 80 hour total restoration.

I probably just put lipstick on a pig. Oh well, it was fun anyway.

Edited by Paul A on 06/07/17 - 7:14 AM

Posted by EJO on 06/07/17 - 8:43 AM
#6

that much water would drain if you drill some holes in the right places as talked about somewhere else on this site. Do a search. It is not a pig.

Posted by Phil T on 06/07/17 - 10:03 AM
#7

Some notes of caution.

Published weights for many classic hulls are not exact. These boats were hand made and the amounts of resin and mat varied, sometimes significantly.

It is recommended to use the listed weight (hull and console only) as a guide.

If the boat floats with the drain holes above the waterline, that is a very good sign.

Extracting water from a Whaler hull is extremely difficult. Many veteran members who have done extensive restorations have said at the end of their project, seal up any holes, replace any drain tubes that are old/failing and use the boat.

From the archives:

Vacuum bagging has not been shown to be effective.
Drilling holes will help superficially and not worth the effort to repair the holes.

Posted by Paul A on 06/07/17 - 10:29 AM
#8

I did drill some holes in the rear keel area and did get minor drips of water.

With the boat upside down I also drilled 1/4 inch holes where the screws for the bow rails attach to the gunnels; also a few drops of water here.

At one point of sanding a minor bead of water came out of the side through a pinhole.



Transom is solid as a rock.

Posted by donp on 06/07/17 - 1:11 PM
#9

Paul A wrote:
Update - I very accurately weighed the bare hull and found it is 700 lbs or 200 lbs over the 1968 spec. That's approx 25 gallons of water.

Would it float if full of water?


Lol. You must not have seen the BW advertisement showing the boat full of water with about a dozen people standing in it while it was floating.

Posted by Paul A on 06/08/17 - 6:44 AM
#10

I have those pictures but if the closed cell foam has fractured from freezing then the foam is saturated and no longer has the air that creates buoyancy. Kind of like a sponge that floats high if dry but sinks when wet. The weight of the foam/water is neutral, the fiberglass and equipment sinks so the boat sinks. Tell me how this is incorect.

Posted by jgortva on 06/08/17 - 7:42 AM
#11

Paul A,
Boston Whaler made the most of their ad campaign with the floating whaler cut in half and other advertisements that have been talked about here. The truth is, most outboard powered boats of any brand under 26 feet will not totally sink. However, it does not mean they will not roll over and capsize when filled with water in any wave conditions over a flat calm. So, the question is, do you really think that a sinking or non sinking Whaler will make the difference of life and death where you do your boating? If yes, don't restore the boat. If not, then restore the boat going on the knowledge and common sense that if it floats well above any scuppers, drains, or previous waterline and that it will be fine but maybe not perfect. I would assume this is o.k, because if you were looking for perfect you would be looking at a Boston Whaler of more the 2007 to present vintage rather than a 67 vintage.

Jim G.

Posted by mtown on 06/08/17 - 3:34 PM
#12

Paul,
I have been too dumb to post pictures on this site, but if you forward pics to a mod. I am sure they will post. Get a side shot and maybe a rear shot with the motor down and most here could give you real advise. I am betting the boat is fine, but the waterline pics will tell a lot more than you can relate verbally.

Posted by donp on 06/09/17 - 4:37 AM
#13

Paul, If you read this site long enough you will realize a lot of classic’s have water in their hull to some extent.

After 80 hrs. of labor already put into this boat I hate to see you give up. On the other hand, if the boat is unsafe it may work to your advantage and discard the boat.

Best of luck.

Posted by Phil T on 06/09/17 - 6:23 AM
#14

Forgot to mention...

Moisture meters can be misleading. Touch a wet screw hole and it will go off the chart. Does not mean your hull is waterlogged.

If it floats high, I don't see the reason for concern.

Post some photos to help us interpret the hulls condition.

Edited by Phil T on 06/09/17 - 6:24 AM

Posted by Paul A on 07/15/17 - 1:40 PM
#15

Restoration is complete and worth every minute. A labor of love.

Wet Hull or not it runs like new, looks better than new, floats normally with a full load, and makes me smile - priceless.

Edited by Paul A on 07/16/17 - 5:28 AM