1988 Santego - Foam Core of "Skeg" Saturated

[vineyardgray]

My boat was on the hard all last year due to a soft spot that developed directly under the second aft most block. The fiberglass basically delaminated in this location and pouched out with the weight of the boat.

Some holes were drilled last year in an effort to dry the fiberglass over the winter. Not enough, evidently.

This year, we've ground down the surface and it remains wet. A moisture meter was borrowed from one of the surveyors in the yard and the fiberglass was deemed still too wet to repair.

I took a look myself and there was a 'salty' smell to the area. I saw salt staining on the wood blocks adjacent to the ground area and drill holes. Knowing that salt can absorb moisture from humid air, I did my best to wash the salt off. This boat has been in the great lakes a long time but I know she was originally from New York so I assume salt water at some point in her past. Surprised it is still there, but who knows.

We then ground a larger hole into the 'skeg' for lack of a better term. The foam core is totally soaking. I stuck my knife into it and twisted, and water came dripping out.

I was under the impression that Carver's were solid fiberglass below the water line but I can confirm this is not the case with my boat.

The plan now is to cut a much larger hole in the 'skeg', dig out as much saturated foam and fill the whole thing with filler and glass over.

Thoughts?

[Viper]

If they vacuum bag the area, apply a vacuum (proper equipment required), it will boil off the moisture in the core pretty quick compared to allowing it to dry on it's own, it may never dry on it's own as long as the vessel is in service. This is a common process that good glass shops incorporate for both removing moisture and glassing certain jobs.

[ColRon]

vineyardgray, when you say “skeg” are you referring to the keel down the center? We basically have the same boat and I too was under the impression that they were solid below the water line.

[vineyardgray]

Source of the post vineyardgray, when you say “skeg” are you referring to the keel down the center? We basically have the same boat and I too was under the impression that they were solid below the water line.

Yes, the keel/skeg/chine thing is what I'm referring to. Who know's how long there's been damage to mine.

It is a bummer to learn the hull is not solid under the waterline.

[tomschauer]

The "foam" core is not structural, as a wood core would be. It was used as a form for the fiberglass. For 1988, you probably have wood stringers. You want to make sure they are not wet and damaged. If they, are you may want to stop where you are, as repairs could cost more than the boats value.
Many boats use coring, wood or Styrofoam below the water line. Even some new multimillion dollar sportfishing boats. It's not a problem unless it gets compromised.

[vineyardgray]

Source of the post For 1988, you probably have wood stringers. You want to make sure they are not wet and damaged. If they, are you may want to stop where you are, as repairs could cost more than the boats value.

Hi Tom - good to know it is not structural and a good point on the stringers as well.

I'm fairly confident that the stringers on a 1988 3867 Santego are only fiberglass, not sure on the smaller santegos of the same vintage. However, duly noted and I'm going to pop a bunch of the inspection plates off and have another gander.

I also went around the boat with a mallet and 'sounded' or 'rang' it out - of course I didn't know what I was doing but I didn't find too many places with dull thuds - along the bulkheads there was an increase in pitch but no dull thud. The only place I found a dull thud was underneath the aft Air Conditioning water outlet. I suspected water intrusion here before so that confirms it.

[bud37]

Guy beside us had that same issue....big Carver aft, don't know the year.....keel was foam cored......they tried holes to drain , then scarfing off the glass for the winter with fans etc, I think they may have tried the bagging but not too sure on that. Anyway in the end they cut it open in a few spots , dug out all the wet foam and redid it. Apparently it was obvious there had been either an old impact that was never repaired or improper blocking ( blocks too narrow ) that allowed water in over time then froze over the winters, well you get the rest. They could never make a solid glass keel, too much weight and I don't believe you can pour that much resin at once ( heat).

Most of these boats have some sort of coring material that may not be wood......hence the no wood below the waterline statement in some of the newer ads.....good luck with your boat.