What would you do with this? Rot in cabin

[redunculous]

So I have some rot it appears

The wetlocker itself I am not so worried about as I believe I can resolve this issue myself.

Where I am unsure is the depression that I have pointed to in the doorway panel

What would you do? I'm wary of cutting a piece out and repairing as its going to be very obvious but I am also wary of having a huge bill replacing the entire panel (is that unfounded do you think?)

Advice is greatly appreciated

Just for info - the problem was the leaky hatch above the wetlocker - looks like it has been leaking for a while and caused a sag on the top of the wet locker and the infection of rot has spread from there

 

[Joe Diver]

That one picture looks like termites?

 

[redunculous]

Which one?

I'm hoping you mean this one

http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=40701&d=1306949966

If so thats fungus

 

[kenn]

This is what I'd do:
1) stop the leak!
2) dry out any damp areas
3) any areas that are punky and mushy will have to be dug out; less damaged areas, once dry, might be candidates for Git-Rot or some other penetrating epoxy fix
4) careful addition of trim

If trim won't cover it, you either have to live with the look, or replace the panel.

 

[tommays]

If you stop the water and kill the fungus i would think you could do a bit of carefull touchup paint to make it stand out less

 

[gwp]

Don't waste your$ on get rot. The small bulkhead is probably not glassed in but screwed. Remove and use as template to make a new one. Mahogany plywood will stain to match beautifully. Not as bad of job as u might think

 

[redunculous]

thanks all, I have since stopped the leak, just need to remove the fungus etc

gwp, I'll have a look and see if it comes out easy enough and I guess my butt will be cutting and staining - glad to hear it might not be too bad as I was starting to worry it was going to be major $$$ (major to me)

 

[Steve Dion]

Red:

If you need to replace the trim pieces, H&L Marine in Rancho Domiquez, CA can remake your current trim that could have a deeper groove that could cover up the damage. You would need to send them your current trim and they could mfg something that would look like the original.

 

[redunculous]

thanks Steve

Its a hunter 40.5 on the East coast. I would happily mail it over though, once I get back to the US I will be able to take proper stock - I noticed this back in Feb and haven't been back since so the minds getting a bit hazey

 

[Joe Diver]

Yeah, that one....fungus....looks like termites.....

 

[redunculous]

made me feel better

defo fungus

 

[Merlin Clark]

You can get veneer online: http://www.woodcraft.com/Family/2008669/Mahogany-Veneer-Sheets.aspx
If you replace the bulkhead be sure to use something that will survive the environment like marine plywood or a good grade exterior fir plywood. Difference between the plywoods is marine has more layers, no voids and 2 finish sides (none of which are necessary for a bulkhead) and 2-3 times as expensive.

 

[redunculous]

You can get veneer online: http://www.woodcraft.com/Family/2008669/Mahogany-Veneer-Sheets.aspx
If you replace the bulkhead be sure to use something that will survive the environment like marine plywood or a good grade exterior fir plywood. Difference between the plywoods is marine has more layers, no voids and 2 finish sides (none of which are necessary for a bulkhead) and 2-3 times as expensive.

merlinuxo

thank you so much for that link and the information, going to drop them an e-mail as soon as I get back to the boat and get the measurements etc

 

[Ross]

The fungus is of the type that grows only when there is water and goes dormant when it is dry. There are many poisons for it. probe the wood with a sharp thin knife and determine the depth and extent of the damage. If it isn't too awful, sand it a bit and look again. If you want it perfect replace the piece but if you can improve the look without too much work take that avenue. There are no termites in there. Termites don't advertize their presence. I have seen places where they ate the paper between the sheetrock core and the paint and didn't break the surface.

 

[FourPoints]

I would add to Ross's advice my own experience... I found a small piece of wood forward of the V berth that had lots of black mildew this spring after a hatch didn't get sealed well enough, and it rained for 3 weeks straight.

Spray the area with Tilex Mold and Mildew remover W/ Bleach, let soak for about 10 minutes, then rinse with clean fresh water and put the wood somewhere dry for a few days. Once it is dry, re-oil the wood with 2 coats of Daly's Seafin Teak Oil (west marine usually stocks it in the warehouse but not the stores, it is what Hunter used originally, it will return the color to an almost perfect match).

You may find that you don't need to do anything more than this, and after a good soak with the Tilex, it will kill the roots and spores of the mold / mildew / fungus, which should not come back...

 

[redunculous]

What about the soft part I am pointing to gents?

Surely I would have to cut here anyway?

Thanks for all the replies so far

 

[Steve Dion]

Kill the rot (Git-Rot) and cover it up with molding.

http://www.jamestowndistributors.co...ngine=adwords!6456&keyword=git+rot&match_type=

 

[Ray Bowles]

If it is not a load bearing panel then once the rot is stopped you could safely just cover it with trim.
Ray

 

[redunculous]

Ray

When you say 'trim' could you elaborate for me please?

I'm English and I think my definition of trim is not the same so any further information would be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards

Redunc

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

That is definitely a load bearing bulkhead. It will not be easy to replace the entire piece given it bisects the aft head and wet locker nor do I think it is necessary to replace it.

What I'd do is remove the rot, scarf in some material and epoxy it in place and cover the piece with the appropriate veneer stained to match. As I recall, the width of the piece from the hull to the seam amidship of the doorway to the head is about 3 ft which should be easy to veneer.

For what it's worth, we had a similar leak at that same location but for whatever reason, the water flowed back toward to hull, behind the locker and saturated the locker floor which required replacement so I know the effort involved in removing what you are faced with.