Where to drill?

[ToddW]

On my '94 SJ I can hear water sloshing around in the back on the sides... wheres the most common place this water will be? I don't want to drill 3+ holes on each side looking for it.

Also, will 5200 be a good filler to patch up these lil holes?

Thanks
-Todd

 

[Matt_E]

Hate to tell you, but you should cut open the tray, completely remove all foam (it's waterlogged all to hell), seal the bondline and all other potential leaks, glass everything back up, and refoam.

Search for refoaming....

 

[SJBrit]

I got bad news for you: you need to refoam! With that much water sloshing around you could drill almost anywhere and get it out. The best place to start is probably the rear bulkhead, below the bondline and stand it on end for a few days. But, you'll need to pull out all that waterlogged foam and replace it of you want any strength in the hull (and a ski that doesn't weigh a ton!).

 

[ToddW]

Thanks guys, I plan to refoam this winter but wanted to drain the 'free' water out, and am not sure where the best spot(s) to drill are.

The ski sits level, and the bondline is above water so I don't think it's that bad... but I will be putting footholds and refoaming this winter.

Anyway... thanks, I'll try to drain where suggested.
-Todd

 

[thegoldenboy]

I drilled holes right in the bottom of the chines at the back.

I used milled fibers & epoxy resin to fill holes back up. Use a syringe to fill holes again, sand smooth and paint. Or you could fill with epoxy and fibers, than lay a piece of glass overtop. Stretch glass 2" on each side of hole. Try to drill holes in similar locations so the re glass patch job is cleaner.

 

[ToddW]

I put my ear to the sides and it sounds like the water is at the top not the bottom... if it is at the top can it drain down to the bottom or is ti trapped by the foam?

If I wasn't going houseboating in a couple weeks I'd refoam and glass now but since both would be new to me I don't want to get into something like that now.

 

[demolition_x]

i had the same problem with my square.

the top and the bottom of the hull were foamed at different times. when they put the 2 halves together theres about a half inch where there is no foam. when i opened up my tray the water was just sitting on top of the foam and the foam its self was pretty dry.

best bet would to prob drill a hole in the back right behind where footholds where go on each side and drill kinda downward to make sure you get a hole through the foam to the void. then lift the ski up and it should come out.

 

[Shonuff]

I say to just leave it alone until you completely refoam.

 

[Boris]

I say to just leave it alone until you completely refoam.

X2

Do it right the first time or just ride as is.

 

[restosud]

agree with last posts.

 

[ToddW]

Righto:biggthumpup:

My bilge stuff came today, gonna be installing that when Blowsion re-sends the CORRECT fitting for the hull :banghead:

 

[Matt_E]

Go to Walmart and pick up a 50 cent plastic fitting.

 

[ToddW]

Go to Walmart and pick up a 50 cent plastic fitting.

My wal-mart here was all sold out of the smaller bilges and fittings... luckily blowsion stuff gets here in 2 days so i'll have it Monday Not like I can't ride w/out it anyway.

-Todd