I’ve been removing some of the hull fabric on my 1984. It was on the hard for a couple of years before I purchased it, and looked stained and ratty in places. I’m finding foam insulation glued to the hull behind the fabric in some places—but not others. I’m trying to confirm if Hunter did this, or was this just an owner “improvement”.
Isolated leaks have trapped moisture in spots behind the fabric and foam, so it is all coming out. Given our slotted toe rails, and numerous bolts going through the hull/deck joint, I can’t think of a good reason to add foam back and I’m tempted to just to paint the interior hull sides. I think I would just be tempting more leaks. My Catalina 34 has no insulation of any kind—although the liner is a bit different—and I’m not seeing any real problems with condensation or extreme heat swings below. But I live in the Pacific Northwest. My intent is to take this boat down to the tropics and I’m hoping fans, vents, and hatches—-rather than hull insulation—will help alleviate the hotter climate. Thanks.
Isolated leaks have trapped moisture in spots behind the fabric and foam, so it is all coming out. Given our slotted toe rails, and numerous bolts going through the hull/deck joint, I can’t think of a good reason to add foam back and I’m tempted to just to paint the interior hull sides. I think I would just be tempting more leaks. My Catalina 34 has no insulation of any kind—although the liner is a bit different—and I’m not seeing any real problems with condensation or extreme heat swings below. But I live in the Pacific Northwest. My intent is to take this boat down to the tropics and I’m hoping fans, vents, and hatches—-rather than hull insulation—will help alleviate the hotter climate. Thanks.
