Gunk to fill a hole?

[Pladdatoo]

I have an integrated battery box (well two in fact) that form part of the engine mounts on me boat. I have now noticed that they are hollow and water is collecting beneath one of them and not draining away. This water is really hard to get out (with a sponge) so I am trying to come up with a solution to either prevent water getting in there in the first place or allowing it to drain away if it gets in - thinking about it, I may even do both or be sure.

The problem with the idea of establishing a drain, is that the moulded-in arrangement is that it is quite tricky to see where the structural elements of the assembly starts and ends and I do not want to weaken the engine mounts. Nor do I want to open up the internals by drilling holes into it which would allow water to penetrate what might be a wooden framework within - (It appears to be glass fibre sheathing)- this allowing rot to get hold. Therefore, I was thinking that the first option of prevention rather than cure would be the way to go. Unfortunately access is really tricky, so does anybody know of a material similar to expanding foam BUT resistant to water, that I could simply discharge into the voids and which would fill the gaps thereby preventing water getting in in the first place?

I know I could try and glass in something or build up a dam of some sort to divert the drips away and into the bilge, but I'm not confident that that would really solve the problem and may just seal water in rather than forcing it out or disallowing space for it to inhabit.

So, your thoughts/ideas if you have a moment.

Many thanks

 

[simonfraser]

sounds like you have a water leak inside the boat ?
near the engine mounts ? v odd, i'd concentrate on fixing the leak.

 

[Pladdatoo]

sounds like you have a water leak inside the boat ?
near the engine mounts ? v odd, i'd concentrate on fixing the leak.

Yes, i have the only boat that has water in its bilges.

Anybody with any thoughts on my original question

Very much appreciated.

 

[simonfraser]

you gota fix the leak ....

 

[oldsaltoz]

You can mix some epoxy resin with talcum powder, or do a proper job and use Micro-Balloons to fill the voids. Both mixes are very waterproof and have a high chemical resistance, battery acid would not be a problem.

However you will have to lighly sand the area and wipe it clean with Acetone just befor application.

Good luck and fair winds.

 

[vyv_cox]

I found some years ago that the cheapest way to buy epoxy mastic material in the sort of volumes that it appears you need was concrete patching compound from builders' merchants, for example this one http://www.watco.co.uk/repair/concrete-floors. Owners of concrete boats are probably familiar with them as many carry emergency stocks of several tubs.