What to do with old inboard spot after podding?

[buzzbomb]

Just wondering what the guys that have podded there boats have done inside the boat to close up the floor. I’ve got a few ideas but it would be grate to see some pics. Cheers

 

[screaminreels]

Fish coffin with macerator pump out

 

[Sandpiper]

Hey Buzz Bomb, I am thinking about an aluminum piece of equal length angle on each side of the existing hole and a piece of 3/4 starboard with the texture on it similar to what my double eagle has for decking currently

 

[buzzbomb]

Hey Buzz Bomb, I am thinking about an aluminum piece of equal length angle on each side of the existing hole and a piece of 3/4 starboard with the texture on it similar to what my double eagle has for decking currently

Excellent idea silbee.

 

[23Hourston]

About to do this too. Let’s see those pics

 

[Captain PartyMarty]

I wouldn't put starboard down for the deck. it expands in the sun. The materials is also very soft and will scratch and nick very quickly.

 

[Sandpiper]

I wouldn't put starboard down for the deck. it expands in the sun. The materials is also very soft and will scratch and nick very quickly.

Thanks for the advice, What do you recommend as an alternative?

 

[Captain PartyMarty]

If you have a fiberglass deck I would make up a fiberglass cover that matches the rest of the deck. Post a picture of what your working with, I am sure lots of guys will have some ideas

 

[Rayvon]

If your back deck is flat (important) you can wax and spray PVA (a release agent) on to a section and gelcoat,fiberglass a section and you'll have the same nonskid pattern for a hatch.

 

[ship happens]

really depends on wether or not the deck is self bailing

 

[bryce]

I used checkerplate and it has worked out awesome!!

 

[23Hourston]

Will be checker plate for me too I think. My tank was glassed in too

 

[buzzbomb]

I think the check plate is the way I’m gonna go to.

 

[23Hourston]

Cheaper and faster I am thinking

 

[Sandpiper]

If we are comparing holes here is what I got. I appreciate the advice thus far!

 

[ericl]

I made a hatch using teak marine ply edged with solid teak 1" wide for my SeaRay coated with epoxy. It worked fine but did not match the crown of the deck perfectly.

 

[Shermanater]

Excuse the extremely dirty floor. I used marine grade plywood coated with epoxy and painted. Turned out awesome and was easy to make. I have 8 seasons on it now and still holding up strong. Just a few scratches which is an easy fix. Been on a friends boat that has checker plate and it rattles like crazy.

 

[persistent]

I recently purchased a podded 20’ hourston, the pod was bolted to the transom without filling the hole where the old inboard leg went through. So the first thing I did was Install an Epoxied marine plywood plug. There was a 3/4” drain hole that went into the pod that is now gone. Should I drill another hole? Or just rely on the bilge pump to clear the water from the old engine compartment? My concern is that the pump won’t get it all out, and that there will always be 3/4” of water down there. What have you guys been doing about that? I am building the deck hatches out of epoxy coated marine ply that will be painted with kiwi grip, to match the rest of the deck. When I bought the boat, the hatch covers were aluminum, but they rattled and had edges the were easy the stub you toes on. The plywood ones will be mounted flush with the deck, not surface mounted

 

[Brando]

My bilge always has water in it as low as can be pumped out. Clean it thoroughly and coat with epoxy I use interprotect2000, one of the downsides of not having a self bailing deck and no plug a good shop vac every so often will be necessary.

 

[23Hourston]

Ya I know this one. I use a sponge ring out mop for what the pumps leave. Just ring it out over the deck. I used a small rule pump a 500 I think that wasn’t fastened . To pumped out Either side of the keelson