Help with a repair

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LuzSD

LuzSD

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Feb 21, 2009
1,009
Catalina 30 San Diego/ Dana Point, Ca.
I thought if anyone could help it would be this group so here's my problem:
I am the main trimmer on a big heavy boat and in the past couple months we've raced in some heavy winds. This boat has a port that opens right about knee level and to get leverage both to work the winch and the traveler I stick my knee inside the port and wedge myself in the companionway..... And little by little I have broken off pieces of the lower lip on the port. It’s plastic and rather thin and I am feeling badly that I continue to reduce the lip to basically a flat surface. They want to put the pieces back on but that does not seem to work.... I proceeded to knock it off in the next blow. I was thinking there must be some plastic molding material that we could attach some way and mold it by hand to somewhat replace the lip I am destroying.

I should have taken a picture before I left last night after a very crazy race, but I didn't. I sure appreciate any thought and I will get pictures but not until next Thursdays race. Thanks for any thoughts you might have.
 
gpd955

gpd955

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Feb 22, 2006
1,164
Catalina 310 Cape May, NJ
LuzSD said:
I should have taken a picture before I left last night after a very crazy race, but I didn't. I sure appreciate any thought and I will get pictures but not until next Thursdays race. Thanks for any thoughts you might have.
Click to expand

What kind of boat? Maybe theres a stock pic online somewhere so we can get an idea of what it looks like. I'm trying but in my crazy mind, I can't picture it!!
 
LuzSD

LuzSD

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Feb 21, 2009
1,009
Catalina 30 San Diego/ Dana Point, Ca.
gpd955 said:
What kind of boat? Maybe theres a stock pic online somewhere so we can get an idea of what it looks like. I'm trying but in my crazy mind, I can't picture it!!
Click to expand
Thanks Jack, I could not find anything that looks like it so far, but I attempted to draw it!!
The boat is a 79-80 Santana 39.
 

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Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

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Feb 26, 2004
23,353
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
You may want to consider approaching this from a different angle, Luz. Any repair is bound to get broken yet again. If it's in the way of your leg now, that isn't going to change. Perhaps you can fair back what's there.

You could also consider offering to contribute towards buying the skipper a replacement port. Eventually he'll stop racing... But it shouldn't be all on you, since there's more than one crew helping a skipper who's chosen to race his boat.

Good luck,

Stu
 
woodster

woodster

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Sep 15, 2009
6,244
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
if you race on this boat all the time then get a boat cushion and secure it over the spot where your knee goes and that may stop further breaks and help your knee a lot....dont know how old you are nor do i care but i will tell you this in a few years..... you will remember the knee thing again i promise you that.......

ps

i do think its very commendable that you are show great respect for this persons boat....i really do like that

good luck


regards

woody
 
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LuzSD

LuzSD

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Feb 21, 2009
1,009
Catalina 30 San Diego/ Dana Point, Ca.
oh what nice comments! I actually do put my sweatshirt in the window and try very hard to protect it from being hit so directly but it's just is too much pressure when I am cranking the winch that hard or moving the traveler with such a load. I wear kneepads, they are my saving grace...in fact I am always looking for better ones... so I only get massive bruises above and below them!!!

I have thought about just smoothing it down as it has broken off, which is a good idea I think, but they said it keeps the screen in so (I have not tried it in to see if it makes a difference but assume that is true?) I feel so obligated to try and repair it.

I don't even know if a replacement port is possible.... there were not many of this boat model made and I doubt they want something new in contrast to original everything else.

I have had in mind lately getting another item that is really needed on this boat, and though it won't fix the port damage, it might make up for it somewhat. If there is no way to fix this, I think that would be my best bet.....would relieve me from my guilt and add something that we all will use and be safer.

I will still hope for some wonderful solution but really appreciate your comments. Love this forum!!
 
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Ross

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
You really need a knee stirrup in that location. Perhaps you could mould one with padding inside.
 
higgs

higgs

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Aug 24, 2005
3,736
Nassau 34 Olcott, NY
What does your skipper (owner) have to say about the situation?
 
higgs

higgs

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Aug 24, 2005
3,736
Nassau 34 Olcott, NY
I don't race my cutter rig very much, but my policy is that any damage done to my boat by crew is my problem. My crew comes aboard at my invitation and I understand that damage to the boat is an inherent part of the sport. No one purposely causes damage and if I want guests aboard I feel it is up to me to fund repairs brought on by my guests.
 
C

Calif. Ted

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Jun 8, 2004
3,012
Catalina 320 Dana Point
Luz, JB Weld always seems to work well on plastics but it's gray and I don't know if it's paintable.
If you decide to scrounge thru Minney's in search of an original replacement there are some ports in the back corner on the 1st floor as well as in the 2nd floor "portlight" room.
 
LuzSD

LuzSD

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Feb 21, 2009
1,009
Catalina 30 San Diego/ Dana Point, Ca.
Calif. Ted said:
Luz, JB Weld always seems to work well on plastics but it's gray and I don't know if it's paintable.
If you decide to scrounge thru Minney's in search of an original replacement there are some ports in the back corner on the 1st floor as well as in the 2nd floor "portlight" room.
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Thanks Ted, I will check out the JB Weld (sounds like something that should be on all boats for emergency repairs anyway!) and I will go to Minney's that also is a great idea. Thanks so much, I will report back. Thanks for the exact directions to the right section at Minney's, ... that's very funny! :)
 
LuzSD

LuzSD

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Feb 21, 2009
1,009
Catalina 30 San Diego/ Dana Point, Ca.
higgs said:
I don't race my cutter rig very much, but my policy is that any damage done to my boat by crew is my problem. My crew comes aboard at my invitation and I understand that damage to the boat is an inherent part of the sport. No one purposely causes damage and if I want guests aboard I feel it is up to me to fund repairs brought on by my guests.
Click to expand
Higgs, I can't really tell what they're thinking, but they made the effort to glue the large piece back on and it's one I knocked off again in the next strong blow. I think they realize that its not something I did out of negligence, but it probably still is frustrating. If I can help solve the problem I want to. I agree with you that when guests on our boat damage something, its our issue and I try to shield them from even knowing they were contributors if possible. There seem to be so many things guests are nervous about just coming aboard and I sure don't want to discourage anyone!
 
M

MJWarner

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Jun 19, 2010
86
Morgan classic 41 South Daytona Beach, Fl.
http://sugru.com/
try this. I have used it a lot on things on my boat in the past year. Everything is still holding and working fine, from rigid repairs to flexible fixes.
 
LuzSD

LuzSD

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Feb 21, 2009
1,009
Catalina 30 San Diego/ Dana Point, Ca.
toddco said:
I think what you are looking for is called edge trim. They make some with a metal core that would add some strength as well. I have no idea how it will last in a salt water enviroment, but try ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Trim-Lok-X2...Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c66ced30a&vxp=mtr

good luck,

Todd
Click to expand

EXCELLENT!!! love this Todd, thank you. I went to http://www.trimlok.com and found many choices that could be the answer. I will pass this product site on to the owners and maybe get some samples myself.

Also after looking at their catalog, and the rubber edge trim ... I'm thinking sitting on the rail could be alot more comfortable with a piece of this
over the toe rail, under our legs! Thanks so much!!!
 
LuzSD

LuzSD

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Feb 21, 2009
1,009
Catalina 30 San Diego/ Dana Point, Ca.
merlinuxo said:
Does the port a Beckson: http://shop.sailboatowners.com/prod.php?17415/Rain Drain Opening Ports
If so the spigot is supposed to be trimmed flush with the trim ring to keep it from catching ankles or getting broken, so maybe ask the owner if you could dress it up a bit?
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Yes, this is pretty close except the lip is taller and thus more fragile. I think I understand what you are saying about the trim being made flush because they have a aft berth with a port that is in the cockpit and it has been trimmed down so it doesn't catch our ankles...... This one would never have been an issue if I'd not stuck my knee into it! But it was self survival and heck, we were racing!! ;)
 
LuzSD

LuzSD

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Feb 21, 2009
1,009
Catalina 30 San Diego/ Dana Point, Ca.
fantastic product, I am getting some of this!

MJWarner said:
http://sugru.com/
try this. I have used it a lot on things on my boat in the past year. Everything is still holding and working fine, from rigid repairs to flexible fixes.
Click to expand
oh wow, love this stuff! The best part of this post and all your fantastic suggestions is that I now have so many resources for little issues I have at home, our boat, my work!! I am very grateful for such helpful comments and suggestions! Thanks everyone, I knew this was the place to go!
 
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