Whew I have long contiplated an issue on our
boat and just have to rectify this now.
So the issue on our
boat is despite it being brilliantly built in so many ways it has a flaw I would like to rectify.
The
bilge is shallow and flat ( not much I casn do with that ) but the big issue is the built in molded furniture and sole is one piece that would have been dropped in with the
deck off.
This is done in 2 pieces,
Galley on port side across to the Nav area on Stb area and the
salon from port to Stb as a second piece. Both these are sealed to the
hull along the top edge and essentially hang just off the surface of the
hull all the way from port to Stb. at the turn of the
bilge is where the moulded unit comes in closest contact with the hull. maybe an 1-1.5" clearance and some of these spots would be very hard to reach.
The biggest issue is that any bilge
water is free to run up and inbehind the furniture.
Step one I have compleated is I made as many bilge access
panels as I could, to have better access. Step 2 I have cut out access
panels where prudent to also make more
storage of unused space ( but still many spots will be a difficult challange to access along the narrowing clearance area where the bilge area should cease).
So the question is what
sealant would be ideal to isolate the bilge from the rest of the hull? Once the acess areas are compleated and the bilge isolated the only way
water would get behind is if there was a breach in the hull.
An expanding spray product would be ideal as some areas need to be sealed blindly from as much as 1-1.5' (although I can use my
inspection scope post filling to see if it looks okay) But the ability to have water lay against it for long periods is a must so in my opinion spray foam is out for this area unless theres a product and way to acceptable use and post seal it afterwards?
Sorry for the long post but I hope I have explained it so people comprheand the issue and can better offer opinions.
thank you