Cabin sole water and the mystery foam rubber

[Mac26Mpaul]

A while back we had some bad weather (sideways rain) and I found a puddle in the battery compartment afterwards. I mopped it up and it returned (a few times). Finally worked out that there was a lot of water under the cabin sole (may explain the strange smell the missus has been complaining about for some time). I jacked the front of the boat right up on some blocks so the water could drain into the battery area where I can get it out, but noticed Macgregor have put a bit of glass in on the port side which dams it in there so it cant drain back. I drilled a hole in this so it can drain


I was able to get most of the water out into the battery compartment and out, but due to the rounded shape of the hull, I know there is still some in there. So to cut this long story short, how can I remove the remaining small amount of water from under the cabin sole?

I was thinking about buying one of those small pumps you can attach to an electric drill and putting a bit of hose in there to suck it out. Before I go spending money, is there another way to get it (no I don't have a suitable bilge pump and anyway, it will need to be a quite small diameter hose to get it all out I think) ?

Next question, while looking around in my lockers and marvelling at that quality Macgregor finishing work we have all come to know and love, I found a mystery. On the starboard side, in the locker under the mirror, looking back aft, I noticed that a piece of foam rubber (same material as the cushions) has been glassed in there for some reason. (mine has not been glasses in properly though and it is partially opened at the end. Does anyone know what this foam rubber is for?

[RobertB]

Since the does not have a proper bilge, jacking up the front of the trailer and using a sponge is about the best way. I also keep a fan running inside the boat to keep the air moving. In the past, a small heater in the winter has kept the boat dry but I will likely not do this in the coming months due to the cost.
The foam is used typically as a support/mold to make structural "beams" with fiberglass to reinforce the thinner parts of the structure - especially the deck.

[Mac26Mpaul]

Thanks again Rob,

It is the same sponge material the cushions are made from. I don't think this is for support, and its in an odd spot

[RobertB]

If it does not serve an important purpose, I have been known to clean up these issues with my Fein MultiMaster. Saves on hand injuries due to stray fiberglass.

[Don T]

Hello,
The other purpose for the foam is to provide pressure so pieces being joined together will attain a good bond.

[Tomfoolery]

The foam is used typically as a support/mold to make structural "beams" with fiberglass to reinforce the thinner parts of the structure - especially the deck.

Interesting. That would explain the foam inside the table 'ribs', which I found when I drilled drainage holes in the bottom and got foam wrapped up on the bit. I drilled it to let out the water that had gotten into the table through the screws holes when rain leaked into the table top (water kept bleeding out from under the screws into the space under the plexi top). The bottom of the table has ribs in an X pattern, similar to torsion box construction, but just one big X. With black foam inside.

[Mac26Mpaul]

Okay thanks fellas

I wish they used normal foam for this purpose then - If water gets in there with that spongy stuff it will probably go mouldy and smell.

[Retcoastie]

best thing to actually remove the water is a wet/dry vac. Beats a pump every time for what you need.

Good Luck

Ken

[yukonbob]

I second the wet/dry vac. If you're uncertain as to whether you got it all you can always throw some bleach down there then hit it with the vacuum again to dry it out as much as possible then at least you know its been somewhat steralized.

[Mac26Mpaul]

Wet dry vac would be good but I don't think (will have to double check tomorrow) that there is room to get my vac hose in there. I think I need something garden hose type diameter which is why I was thinking one of those pumps you can attach to an electric drill.

[Tomfoolery]

Same here. I bought a baby wet/dry vac some years back for about $20, and it's just right for a small boat. Fits in a locker under one of the seats, and is good enough for what I need it for. It only holds 2 or 2-1/2 gallons, and it will spit a little water out the exhaust before the float shuts the flow off, but a couple of gallons is a lot of water to vacuum up to get there, and it's not like there's a lot of fine joinery in there to ruin anyway.

I even use it to empty the last bits of water from the fresh water tank at the end of the season.

This one for $30 looks the same aside from the colors. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Stinger-2-5- ... /100021998

And a cheaper one at $20. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Stinger-2-ga ... /205404631

[yukonbob]

I would go to your local hardware store and pick up some pluming parts to reduce the hose diameter to something smaller. Just make sure not to overheat the vac. Those small shop vacs are great on boats

[Kittiwake]

.... there was a lot of water under the cabin sole ..... I jacked the front of the boat right up on some blocks so the water could drain into the battery area where I can get it out, but noticed Macgregor have put a bit of glass in on the port side which dams it in there so it cant drain back. I drilled a hole in this so it can drain ........

Maybe I am missing something; but in our 26M if one sticks one's head in the aft starboard locker of the cabin (thus with one's right hip against the ladder from the cockpit) you can see that there is just enough room to stuff an absorbent cloth between the underside of the cabin sole and the interior of the hull (ie. into what I would call the Bilge). This space is forward of the battery compartment and permitted me to soak up some standing water that had collected there. It was a bit of a nuisance to have to wring-out and poke-back-in the absorbent cloth a few times, but no big deal; and then I just left the locker open to dry out the residue. I haven't had the nerve to go drilling holes in bulkheads.
Kittiwake