[Public-List] Battery Compartment

[brooks.glenn at comcast.net]

Bob, You should be able to prob around with an awl or screwdriver, and tap with a hammer to determine where, if any, more rot or delamination exists in the plywood. Sounds like the plywood just gave up due to old age and too much moisture over time. I wonder if you have some fresh water run off in the boat that consistently seeps down into the battery area? If so, you might look for the pathway to stop future deterioration . 


Anyway the ideal way to fix the flooring is replace with foam core, glassed on both sides and then laminate it into the hull same way as the original plywood. The foam core does not absorb moisture. so cant rot, and covered with mat and roving on both sides is very strong. Only drawback is that probably you have to buy a whole sheet for $100 or so. Unless a FG shop will give you a small piece to work with. But it sounds like a fairly quick fix. 


Iast year I moved my batteries out of the bilge and up under the cockpit floor to keep them from being submerged and ruined in the event of water inundation . Its more work, but seems like a more secure location. (requires a hatch forward end of the cockpit for access). 


Cheers 
Glenn D olce 318 

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob Bounds" <bobbounds at comcast.net> 
To: "Alberg 30" <public-list at alberg30.org> 
Sent: Sunday, July 8, 2012 4:51:48 PM 
Subject: [Public-List] Battery Compartment 

Echo Gulf #132 has a 12 volt starting battery and two 6 volt golf cart batteries for the house load. Recently I was adding water to the 6 volt batteries and noticed that one of them was tilted at an unusual angle. I took both batteries out of the space below the salon sole and discovered that the deck supporting the batteries had failed and was completely rotten. It appears that it was an untreated piece of plywood tabbed with fibreglass to the sides of the bilge. The plywood was dry, but crumpled when I pulled it out. 

I am concerned with how to proceed with the repair. I could replace the piece that failed, but wonder if there is more rot in the structure under the sole. I found in the archives (October 30, 2005) pictures of a similar repair on #380. 

Has anyone had a similar problem and what are your opinions on how to proceed with a repair? 

Thanks for any advice. 

Bob Bounds 



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