Seadek Stinks

[Freesurf]

Good day , this is my first post , I'm along time Nautique owner . My question is are any other boat owners with seadek finding it smells ? I was talking with a boat builder and he informed me that the problem is seadek traps in moisture creating a odor , worse yet the moisture will cause fiberglass issues . I've brought this problem up with dealer & waiting on resolution from nautique ...

[HS]

no issues here, and I see it as an upgrade over the SANO;

[core-rider]

I thought I was correct, but went to their site to make sure... Seadek is a closed-cell foam product so it is unlikely that it is "trapping moisture" much less absorbing it unless it was installed over top of moisture which IMO would render a poor adhesion to the surface and it would pull up over time. I have never heard of Seadek causing blistering issue either and I'm sure if it was happening we would have heard about it by now. Seadek has been on Nautiques for a few years now, as well as other brands new or aftermarket. If this were an issue I would think the first areas to show signs would be swim platforms.

[NautiqueJeff]

Freesurf, you are 100% misinformed. The way SeaDek is made, there is no possible way it could trap moisture. That's one of the reasons it is so great in this application!

The info in core-rider's post above is spot on.

[scottb7]

It better not have a mildew smell. I just sprung and paid big bucks - well to me anyway - and have received all the pieces to install in spring when boat gets back from storage. My only thought/concern but nobody seems to complain is could water somehow get under since it is applied over antiskid surface?

For surface prep their site says: Use an ammonia based window cleaner and a scotch brite pad to remove any dirt, sunscreen, wax. sweat, etc. Scrub well and let dry completely. If the boat is new, you should repeat several times as new boats have mold release that may hinder adhesion.

However, a buddy says to use acetone...Thoughts? Clean is clean right. Do people think acetone is necessary??

[NautiqueJeff]

My boats typically have custom PN SeaDek applied at the factory, and sometimes when my boats are sold at the end of the season, the purchaser wants that custom SeaDek removed and normal SeaDek installed. I have helped White Lake remove the custom stuff a couple of times, and I can tell you without a doubt that there is almost zero chance of water intruding under the pads unless they are installed incorrectly. When we go to remove the custom SeaDek, it is VERY DIFFICULT to remove it, and it is clear that the adhesive has completely sealed the surface from any outside water. The adhesive they use is serious stuff. Much stronger than you might expect from peel-and-stick.

If water was going to intrude, we would see it on the swim platforms for sure. I have never seen one with any issues.

The only time I have ever heard of SeaDek coming loose is in the case of constant contact with gasoline. See the SBRS thread where they are restoring the Jack Travers boat and you'll see an example. Note that it is right under the gas fill.

When installing SeaDek in a new boat, we have always used acetone first. That being said, I would follow SeaDek's recommendation so as not to void the warranty.

[TRBenj]

+1 on the acetone

[vision]

I have had a boat with SeaDek that lives in a high humidity location for 2.5 years with no odor or detectable mold growth. I have to clean mold/mildew off the vinyl a few times a year, but never the SeaDek.

[Freesurf]

I appreciate the responses, let me say I had seadek installed on a 230 when Nautique first introduced it & loved it . So naturally I wanted it on my G23 which is a 2013 , but I'm not making this up when it gets really wet and doesn't fully dry out it takes on a bad odor . I have used citrus cleaner that helps & so does a little bleach & water .

[NautiqueJeff]

How do you store your boat? Do you cover it when it is wet?

[vision]

I believe you, but just surprised considering my boat stays in high humidity all year and never has an odor or even visible mildew on the seadek. I will say if anyone spills a beer or high carbohydrate fluid on any surface of a boat or object that is in high humidity and heat, it will foster a serious malodorous bacterial and fungal growth.

[robertsmcfarland]

I have not have had any issues, and I have put my boats up in every condition and situation possible ,,,Free surf,, I think there must be something else going on not connected to the sea-deck product... my 2 cents

[GCSuper]

We had a bad smell one spring even though the boat was stored dry and put up dry. Turned out to be some of the nasty water that was drained out of the block when winterizing and didn't drain out. I miss having a rear drain plug you could pull out on a hill and completely drain the bilge.

[scottb7]

Yeah, you're right it was nice to have the rear drain plug.

[Wayward]

I have witnessed this problem as well. It is also on a 2013 G23.

The boat that I have witnessed this on, is stored on a lift, with a canopy, and is extremely well cared for. Summertime here is fairly humid, but not anything extreme. This boat is used for business. If it is on the lake, it is towing. It doesn't sit in the sun at the party cove, and doesn't sit still long enough for the sun to really dry out the seadek. (not that I think that should matter for the performance of the seadek.)

There is no chance of this boat ever having gasoline (or any other chemical) in contact the seadek. Yet, it is peeling up in several locations, and has had a constant problem with mildew smell from the seadek. It has never had any mold issues with the vinyl etc.....

I am thinking that this situation might be isolated to only a few boats, as most people have had very good luck with seadek. In fact, I might be talking about the boat owned by the OP. If so, he is a friend of mine, and is not imagining this problem.

Freesurf- Early build 2013 G23, White/black/silver flake, heated seat, about 190 hours, and love your system bindings?