General Maintenance

[robert19954]

I have a 1996 23 foot O'Day and I have a few questions for the experts.1. What is the best marine paint and can it be rolled or brushed on.2. Where is the power scource, I see an electrical panel in the cabin, but how do I replace batteries for power, running lights, interior lights, etc.?3. The stern deck has benches, one opens up to a large storage area. I had to pump water out, found a metal plate at the bottom all rusted out. When removed more water in the hull with white insulating material soaking wet. I pumped out the water, should I remove the material and let it dry?4. Best material to refinish the wood on the deck and protect it. I heard Tongue Oil.5. What is the purpose of a stainless steel surounded hole at the water line on the out side of the hull?Robert

 

[Herb Parsons]

I'll Give 'em a Try

1. Unfortunately, there's no single "marine paint". Different parts of the boat need different types of paint.2. I'm not positive on the '23, but on my O'Day 25, the 12v battery is stored in the lazerette, underneath the cockpit area.3. The large storage area is the lazerette. I suspect the metal plate was probably a battery tray. The material might be foam flotation. It might be able to be dried, but I would probably see if I could replace it if I were you.4. Probably teak oil. It's a special oil used to restore the natural oils the teak. Teak is the most common wood used for external boat trim.5. There are probably more than one hole, so it's hard to say for sure which one that is. If you have a sink, that should drain to an above the water line through hull (that's what the hole is called), if you have two sinks, you'll have to of them. If you have a bilge pump, you'll have one for that as well. Finally, the cockpit probably drains through one, though it's usually referred to as a "scupper" instead of a through hull.

 

[robert19954]

Herb: Thanks you for your help, all of what you said makes sense. There are several wires that are in the lazerette, and the metal plate make sense for the battery. Can I replace the rusted out piece of metal with water treated ply-wood?The flotation material will be removed and I will see if it needs replacing. This boat, by the way, has been sitting out for four years, and when we opened the cabin it was as dry as a bone, I was amaized.I guess any 12 v marine battery would replace the old battery, there was not one in the lazerette when we opened it.My wife bought the oil for the wood, and this weekend I am going to sand and work on the wood, can't wait. This is a great project.Thanks again,Robert