Do I have a problem?

[ParamourII]

Hey All

I have been reading through old threads on here to learn all I can about the new boat. I came across a question someone had regarding water intrusion and MaineSail mentioned that when a deck is saturated and rotted it wiill look like coffee dripping. I have one area on my port side about amidship where I have a thin, very slow drip of a dark thick liquid that looks like coffee or chocolate syrup (no water though).
I'm sure that if we had an area that bad I would notice signs or certainly our surveyor would have seen something.
Is there some other explanation for the drip?

Thanks

Joe

 

[Anonymous 121765]

Joe,

From my past experiences with leaking decks, portals, and thru deck fittings, here are two lines of thought.

Remember most decks have a wood (balsa etc.) coring between top deck and inner liner. Frequently, newer boats are going with non-wood coring.

The Two Reasons:
1. liquid is from water & resin mixing. In alot of older boats, some internal resins never cured fully. This is evident as being sticky to the touch. This would be a lighter coffee color.
2. As you stated, it can be from rotting wood core, and thus, much darker in color.

But fear not, whatever the culprit, the fix would be the same.
If unsure, ask around for a good glass guy to come check it out.
If it is a recent leak, the quicker the repair, the less the cost.

Many times with early detection, & a good glass guy, it won't be a big or costly project. Whatever paneling has to be cut thru the top deck, it can be cleaned and replaced, keeping any non-skid or smooth surface looks the same.

Having a cored boat is like living in Holland near the dike. You see a leak and put your finger in the hole to stop it. Over the years you will see new leaks develop from vibration, flexing, and aging. It is however, normal & more the cost of doing business.

Hopes this answers some of your questions pal........

CR

 

[ParamourII]

Thanks for the input, I should add though that I noticed the brown stuff when we bought the bought right after it was surveyed yet the surveyor told me it was one of the driest boats he had ever surveyed. In the stack of paperwork I got with the boat I did find a receipt for some sort of a glass repair at some time in the past but I still have not found out where the repair was made. Could this have been it and the leaking residue a leftover? It is a very small amount and when it rains there is no water that comes through here.

Thanks