X-ray vision?

[jvitiel]

Ok, so here is a mini update. Thank you for all of your insightful comments..

The area marked "C" in the photo is wide open - no foam. There is indeed a bulkhead aft of the tank and a full height stringer between (at least) "B" and "C".

Nearest I can tell, there is about 4" between the deck and the hull where the rod box is. I'm thinking that I will go in there and attack the exposed foam with a mason's trowel and/or garden claw and see what I see. If I can't get far maybe I will use a long auger bit straight through the deck to get a deep core sample.

I would love suggestions as to what process or tool would be good for pulling the foam out through the gap by the rod box. If the foam was a little less dense, I feel like I could almost pull it out with my hand (but I doubt it). They should have used closed cell shipping peanuts. :-)

As an aside, a marine surveyor stopped by today for an unrelated issue and he didn't think the lopsided batteries were weighty enough to cause the list I described. He said maybe live with it but at lease know what it is...