under berths

[mrb]

There is discussions going on about water in boat and tearing out berths.  I know by posts and image gallery that some of the members have did extensive rebuilds.  I'm wondering what is under the berths.
Plain old air or is there foam.  If there is foam is it loose block like what is under cockpit floor or is it poured in.

Thanks
Melvin

[Sam in VA]

In my '85, there is poured-in foam beneath the berths that fills most of, but not all of the void.

[mrb]

Thanks Sam

Reason I was wondering about foam(beyond factor of flotation ) is that with poured in foam the foam should add some stiffness to the hull.  With some of the posts concerning berth board rot it makes me more comfortable knowing something more than air is in there.

Thanks again
Melvin

Not from Cape Charles are you?

[Craig Weis]

I gotta think that foaming a semi-enclosed are would lead to the retention of moisture and would promote rot. Now if that was a coating of West Epoxy under that foam 100 % I would worry less. Need some air in there to dry things out. I would put foam in an aluminum tube to stiffen it up, but that starts out water resistant.  skip.

[mrb]

I would hope that area would be properly prepped before foaming but as we all know that doesn't always happen.  Some times we have to be trusting and diligent on keeping an eye on all the trouble spots. Skip, has any one to your knowledge added vents to berths  Seems like There are a few posts about people having to rebuild them because of rot.

I don't like cutting holes but vents sound good to me.  My Aquarius and Coronado both had lockers under the berths with I would leave open when not on boat.
Thanks for ideas
Melvin

[Craig Weis]

My friend with the Com-Pac 19 had a Coronado 26 before this boat, Wind Rover...It was fast but that O/B in the soul of the cockpit really was a concern. Fast sailing boat though.
I think just moving air through the interior would be good enough. So no I'd not cut holes in the bunk innards. It should not be wet down there, and it's painted. In fact I just repainted my 'gary' down below. skip.

[mrb]

Skip
Thanks for recommendation.  I try to keep the Dorado to where it will catch the breeze so I guess I will leave it at that.

My Coronado had the motor on the transom with a well in front.  Good place to stand if you had to get to motor.

Melvin 

[Craig Weis]

On the topic of 'poured-in foam' I believe that Com-Pac's have a little here and there only to quiet the hull if 'banging' it's way through waves, as occasionally skippers do from time to time. Never intended for flotation. skip.