Posted: February 01 2006 at 00:00 | IP Logged

I have a 2000 31PC that sprung a leak under the galley. There are numerous inaccessible compartments that now likely contain fresh water. I tend to agree with Pascoe's rant on this subject and feel that Formula should provide either drainage between the stringers and/or access to hidden compartments (and perhaps discontinue use quick connect plumbing - I had another elbow fail at the hot water heater) but they don't.

So, I'm thinking about getting a hole saw and installing small 4" deck plates like the ones used elsewhere on the boat to provide access to these areas. One question I have is can the West Marine ($10) variety support someone standing on them or should I use stainless steel or brass. They are under the carpet in most cases so I don't really care what they look like. The other question is does Formula use foam in the concealed compartments? Any other considerations before I start drilling in to the cabin floor?

Owen.  

Posted: February 06 2006 at 00:00 | IP Logged

Owen,

I have a much older Formula than you I have a 1980 F20, but have run into the same problem with Compartments that have no Access what so ever.  I found the rear stringer on the Stbd side was bad. When I removed the deck over that area, I found the Foam Floatation between Stbd stringer and the chine was completely soaked the entire length of the boat and was what caused the stringer to rot.  I removed 15 large lawn and leaf bags of soaking wet foam from that area, which in my estimation had to weigh 400 pounds.

I replaced the stringer on that side in the rear, which is about 4 ft long and is the side of the engine compartment.  I also made a sister stringer, which I bolted and epoxied to the main stringer, which had a little damage (which was removed), but didn't warrent complete replacement.  The deck on that side which was in good condition was screwed and glassed back in place and now has two of the round hatches you speak about so I can see what is going on down there.  I will probobly do the other side as soon as weather permits, mainly to get that foam out of there which I am sure is wet, even though that stringer does not show as much damage.

This is really a poor design and is what is the cause of much of the stringer rot that you read about in this board. I have read Pascoe's rant, many times and the diagram that he shows looks exactly what my situation was.  I am not going to replace the foam, as wet as it was it did nothing but add weight as well as cause a lot of damage anyhow.  After looking at newer Formulas that friends have, they are still using this poor design which is disapointing for such an otherwise well built boat.

I would suggest that you install as many of those deck plates as you can, not only for access so you can see what is going on, but you can leave them out if your not useing the boat for some time just to get some venatation in that area. Also look on ebay, I have purchased 8" dia for about 5-6 dollars a piece. But to answer your question, yes they do use foatation in these sealed compartments, and its a big problem, especially when you get fresh water in there. Good luck and let me know haow you make out.

Thanks,Butch

Posted: February 14 2006 at 00:00 | IP Logged

Thanks for the info. Replacing stringers on a 31PC would be no small task. Hopefully that's not necessary. I would have thought the foam would not hold water. I can't see the advantage to using it. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Owen.

Posted: February 14 2006 at 00:00 | IP Logged

Owen,

  Supposedly the later foam is called Closed Cell Foam and will not absorb water, which is not correct.  I just visited a friends boat shop who had a 2001 Sea Ray, I believe was 31 ft and the foam in that was as soaked as mine was. It was due to a poor design of where the shower, AC and sink in the head all drained into an area of the bilge which was not draining into the main part of the bilge, all due to a clogged drain, a very poor design for a fairly expensive boat.  

  He has to replace a large portion of the deck, a stringer and two bulkheads that were just mush.  All this due to fresh water, if it had been salt water it probobly would not have been as bad.

Good luck,

Butch

Posted: February 09 2007 at 17:44 | IP Logged

If you were to remove the foam and install some rod lockers would it cause the boat to perform different? I have to replace the deck on my 1983 F-20 SC so I thought about adding some storage by carving out some foam?