Bilgekote Gray?

[Sundancer]

The previous owner drilled some holes in the plywood platform that holds the hot water tank, holding tank and batteries. I think he must have re-arranged the battery configuration. He didn't protect the holes and as a result the wood has gotten soft under the batteries. I'm going to replace it and wondered if Bilgekote Gray was the right color to match the Sea Ray engine compartment? I wanted to get it here so I could get everything ready before pulling out the contents. Anything need to go on underneath the Bilgekote like a primer or anything? I just want to do it right!

 

[The Bill Collector]

I freshen up my ER with Bilgekote gray annually....

 

[Sundancer]

I freshen up my ER with Bilgekote gray annually....

View attachment 39247

I feel so inadequate! I can't even get in between the engines to TAKE a picture! I wish mine looked that good, but that is something to strive for! Maybe with a can on hand I can touch up some areas while I'm in there!

 

[Getaway]

I used Interlux 2000 Barrier Coat after I rebuilt the transom and stringers. Looks good and seals her up water tight. No primer needed.

 

[SCORPIO]

I used it when I replaced my battery shelf a few years ago, a good match to the Sea Ray gelcoat. A note on the shelf project; I found I had to install the new shelf in two pieces and glass them together. There wasn't enough room to do it in one piece with the engines in the boat. Also, great time to clean all the gunk out from under the platform, and there will be quite a bit of it. Good project, makes the bilge look a lot better.

 

[BryanOnTheBay]

Bilgkote gray matched mine pretty well. I didn't notice any difference.

Bryan

 

[Sundancer]

I used it when I replaced my battery shelf a few years ago, a good match to the Sea Ray gelcoat. A note on the shelf project; I found I had to install the new shelf in two pieces and glass them together. There wasn't enough room to do it in one piece with the engines in the boat. Also, great time to clean all the gunk out from under the platform, and there will be quite a bit of it. Good project, makes the bilge look a lot better.

Scorpio,

Exactly what I was wondering! I haven't actually started, but looking at it I'm wondering if two pieces would be easier to handle than one. Did the old one come out in one piece or did you have to cut it to get it out? Just wondering! I can get Bilgekote easier than Barrier coat, but either will suffice! I just need to get the wood ordered so I can start. I'm running out of time and thought I would start it over Christmas while I was home. I didn't....

 

[SCORPIO]

I cut the old one in half to make it easier to remove. The hard part was removing all the stuff attached to that shelf, holding tank, batteries and water heater on mine, I have no genset. I just used a good quality piece of exterior 3/4" plywood that I soaked with epoxy and painted. I then cut it in half and installed it and glassed it together and touched up the paint. That was in 2009 and it still looks as good as when I installed it. I wouldn't bother with marine plywood if that is what you are thinking, that would be overkill for that application IMO.

 

[Sundancer]

I cut the old one in half to make it easier to remove. The hard part was removing all the stuff attached to that shelf, holding tank, batteries and water heater on mine, I have no genset. I just used a good quality piece of exterior 3/4" plywood that I soaked with epoxy and painted. I then cut it in half and installed it and glassed it together and touched up the paint. That was in 2009 and it still looks as good as when I installed it. I wouldn't bother with marine plywood if that is what you are thinking, that would be overkill for that application IMO.

I wondered about the plywood and haven't priced the marine grade versus exterior. Soaking it in epoxy would make sense and might cost as much as the difference in plywood? Beats me! I'll look into doing that as an alternative. I know it's going to be a chore to get everything out. Glassing them right in the middle makes sense because it's supported on two beam just a few inches from where the seam would be. Makes sense! I like it when I don't have to re-engineer and can just run with what others have suggested!

Thanks Scorpio!

 

[1956olds]

I think marine grade plywood runs about $79 for a sheet and i dont think you can buy half sheets,not around here anyway.

 

[SCORPIO]

Around my area good 3/4" marine plywood is about $100 a sheet. The exterior ply was less than half that. The epoxy isn't cheap, but you don't really need that much. I laid a thin layer of 6 oz cloth on the wood while it was wet with epoxy, that prevents it from checkering and cracking. I did both sides and edges just for good measure. I used glass tape to epoxy the pieces together.

 

[Sundancer]

Around my area good 3/4" marine plywood is about $100 a sheet. The exterior ply was less than half that. The epoxy isn't cheap, but you don't really need that much. I laid a thin layer of 6 oz cloth on the wood while it was wet with epoxy, that prevents it from checkering and cracking. I did both sides and edges just for good measure. I used glass tape to epoxy the pieces together.

$79? $100? Yikes! I guess epoxy doesn't seem like such a bad idea after all! LOL!! Yeesh! Who knew! It makes it easier to just get a chunk of plywood since those are readily available. Again, no point in reinventing the wheel! I'll go with good advice!