C27 Toe Rail

[Ajay73]

I considering removing the T-track from the toe rail to see the condition of the wood inside the toe rail. Maybe oversize drill it and put in an epoxy ring. Has anyone ever looked at this on their C27's? I received a drawing from Catalina Yachts showing the design. I trying to figure out how to attach it.

Have attached the drawing. It shows wood inside the toe rail. Also shows the deck core running to the edge of the deck rather than stopping short of the toe rail as some other boats are built. If this is how they built them all the wood is subject to water intrusion through the bolt holding the T-track down. More worries I guess.

Here is something catalina Yachts sent me as to the construction of the deck/side of the various boats they built and said that the C27 were built with #2 style. This doesn't show wood and shows the deck core stopping short of the toe rail. I would think that with the trapezoidal design of the toe rail (very strong design)that any core would wouldn't be necessary except to possibly stop compressing the fiberglass when installing the T-Track.
http://www.catalinayachts.com/deck_joints_look.cfm

 

[Joe]

What indicators have you seen that prompts your concern?

 

[Ajay73]

What indicators have you seen that prompts your concern?

According to Catalina Yachts there is wood in there. It's a 32 year old boat. I can't see any bedding compound when I look closely at the T track. I would not be concerned if the deck coring didn't run under the toe rail. Water can soak into the deck core via the through bolt holding the T track in place. The wood in the toe rail is self contained and not connected to other wood so deterioration there wouldn't be critical because of the trapezoidal structure of the fiberglass.

 

[Jon_E]

Hmmm... I temporarily removed all the "aluminum extruding" from my boat two years ago when painting the deck. I didn't see any "mechanical fastener" as shown in illustration 1 or 2. There were only tapping screws. Maybe they did that as illustrated on subsequent years, but it doesn't apply to my model year.

 

[Joe]

According to Catalina Yachts there is wood in there. It's a 32 year old boat. I can't see any bedding compound when I look closely at the T track. I would not be concerned if the deck coring didn't run under the toe rail. Water can soak into the deck core via the through bolt holding the T track in place. The wood in the toe rail is self contained and not connected to other wood so deterioration there wouldn't be critical because of the trapezoidal structure of the fiberglass.

In that case, a moisture meter should be all you need to check for water intrusion....or maybe a few small pilot holes to check the condition of the core shavings.... but tearing off the toe rail seems a bit radical for an unsubstantiated problem.

Water intrusion is much more likely behind the rub rail that covers the hull/deck joint seam..... I would break out the 5200 and shoot more into that gap to supplement what is still there.

Finally, you might try removing one of the track's fasteners to determine whether it thru bolts or simply taps into the toe rail core. If it's the latter, it woud be a easy job to remove and reseal the entire track without disturbing the hull/deck joint.

 

[Ajay73]

Joe, I'm only talking about taking off the T track, not cutting into the toe rail, if I understand your comment. On the second point there are thru bolts. I can see them on the underside of the deck in the cabin. I wish they were just self tapping screws. Maybe a best approach would be to seal all the holes with epoxy and switch to self tapping screws. That would cut off any more water getting into the deck below.

As far as the hull to deck bond there are no thru bolts on the c27. Thru bolts are only on the 30 rooters per the drawing