Loose Foam Scraps

[rdechellis]

Toward the end of last season, I started noticing some loose foam scraps in the bilge of our 1999 SN 196. Finally had a chance to investigate this weekend and snapped the picture below. Looks like the foam is coming into the bilge where the wires pass through the floor. This is a very tough area to reach with the engine in place. Any suggestions on what could be the issue or a possible solution?

Thanks!

[rdechellis]

I am hoping the answer is not that something found a new home in my bilge last fall!


Sent from my iPhone using PLT Nautique

[charlesml3]

I am hoping the answer is not that something found a new home in my bilge last fall!


Sent from my iPhone using PLT Nautique

That's the most likely source. Mice LOVE to nest in boats sitting in barns or garages. You need to do a thorough inspection to find out where this is from.

-Charles

[rdechellis]

Thanks, charlesml3. Any suggestions on how to do a thorough inspection without pulling the engine? I was thinking of using an air compressor from up under the bow to blow the loose foam all further back in the bilge but I do not think this will give any insight into what the cause was.

[charlesml3]

Thanks, charlesml3. Any suggestions on how to do a thorough inspection without pulling the engine? I was thinking of using an air compressor from up under the bow to blow the loose foam all further back in the bilge but I do not think this will give any insight into what the cause was.

Yea. One of these: https://www.amazon.com/Tooluxe-20734...chanics+mirror

It's not a tool you use often, but invaluable when you need it. I keep mine in my toolbox with the mirror covered with blue painters tape when I'm not using it.

As for getting the loose foam out, a shop-vac is great for that.

-Charles

[rdechellis]

Hopefully there won’t be much more loose foam than pictured. How much is too much before I’d need to consider replacing foam?


Sent from my iPhone using PLT Nautique

[charlesml3]

The foam isn't really the worry. It's the wiring and hoses. Mice will chew just about ANYTHING. I've seen them chew through fuel lines, battery cables, spark plug wires, depth finder cables, pretty much everything except a hose with a braided, stainless steel covering. Find out where they've been nesting and CLOSELY examine any place they could have chewed.

-Charles

[Evening Shade]

While you are at it, I would go ahead a put some sticky glue mouse traps in your bilge and see if you catch any mice. If you do catch mice you have your answer and problem solved. You may want to put a peanut or some peanut butter or cheese on the trap to lure the mice to the trap. Don't go overboard though. You don't want to attract more critters and ants.

[homer12]

I was going to suggest mouse traps too and catch anything that might still be in there. I had some mice droppings evidence in my office a couple years ago. Set traps where the droppings were, caught two of them and no more evidence now! I used the spring steel traps and with a little peanut butter, caught them easy. After you've caught anything in there, then begin the cleanup and investigating of damage.

Hopefully it's nothing bigger like chipmunk or raccoon or squirrel. Those are probably too big to get in there anyway. My parents had a raccoon make a mess of the underside of their RV in storage.

[rdechellis]

Thanks for the replies! I think I have determined that the rodent issue was prior to my ownership. Maybe a full bilge last fall finally exposed the loose foam far up under the bow. I pulled some of the wiring up from under the floor of the bow and found a bundle of splices and connectors. I am assuming this is not normal. Likely that the rodent did some damage and the previous owner just pieced it back together. Still trying to figure out how to get a camera down there to confirm, but in all likelihood, I would say the rodent is long gone.

[skiinxs]

This would be the easiest way to inspect: https://www.amazon.com/Dylviw-Endosc...ords=endoscope

[toomuchuv]

That's not from a mouse! No way. It's from a raccoon! My buddy had exact same problem in his deck boat. Whole family living in there. They made a huge mess!!

Sent from my SM-A520W using PLT Nautique mobile app