I am in the process of re-bedding all the chainplates and stanchion bases on my 2002 Catalina 310. I have some visible warping and discoloration at the top of the panel above the starboard settee. I've attached some photos. The damage is above the window in the photo and to the left right behind the chainplate tension rod. It feels very dry where the damage is and I haven't seen any leaks. But it sure seems like water damage to me. Once I re-bed everything, my question is might it be possible to remove that panel and replace it with something that at least comes close to matching it? I can see all the screws that would need to be removed and, presumably, so would the internal frame of the window. Any advice on doability and where I might source a panel? Thanks in advance.
Advice on interior paneling repair
- Thread starter Monheganlover
- Start date
It would probably be easier to repair what you have than try to match it. Hard to tell from the pictures but it looks fixable. If you can remove the panel it looks like you could sand the damaged surface to clean it up (not too much, almost assuredly it's a veneer) and then glue the plys back together and clamp some large flat boards on either side to flatten out the panel. Otherwise, maybe Catalina or Catalina Direct would have a panel. Or you're looking at getting some teak veneered plywood and making a new panel and matching Catalina's finish (which they publish).
Last edited:
The plastic trim ring inside the port is a "crimp" (?) fit, you can see on the end one of the tabs holding it to the interior metal frame. Grasp and GENTLY pull it towards you to remove, then you can see if metal portlight frame must be removed to remove the wood panel. I don't know what that panel is for matching purposes, the 320 uses a very light colored beadboard.
Not a knock on Catalina (I've owned a few and currently have a 315), but that panel is probably not particularly robust. My guess would be 1/4" ply with a thin, and I mean THIN veneer of teak.
If it was my boat, my first inclination would be to remove that panel and use it as a template to create a new panel with a new one using the same type of veneered ply. I wouldn't attempt a repair on the existing panel, as it's likely warped and damaged into oblivion. That thin veneer will tolerate very little sanding.
You can confirm what Catalina used to finish their interiors in 2002, but I'm going to guess that it's some sort of a poly finish, with possibly no stain. Which is good, because that means you don't have to match the stain. I'd start by working on a scrap piece, and see how the scrap looks with a few coats of clear poly. If that looks too light/sterile, then I'd try a couple light stains, or maybe just some sanding sealer to warm it up.
One of the nice things about a Catalina interior is that they are reasonably easy to repair.
If it was my boat, my first inclination would be to remove that panel and use it as a template to create a new panel with a new one using the same type of veneered ply. I wouldn't attempt a repair on the existing panel, as it's likely warped and damaged into oblivion. That thin veneer will tolerate very little sanding.
You can confirm what Catalina used to finish their interiors in 2002, but I'm going to guess that it's some sort of a poly finish, with possibly no stain. Which is good, because that means you don't have to match the stain. I'd start by working on a scrap piece, and see how the scrap looks with a few coats of clear poly. If that looks too light/sterile, then I'd try a couple light stains, or maybe just some sanding sealer to warm it up.
One of the nice things about a Catalina interior is that they are reasonably easy to repair.
Thanks to all! I am going to finish my re-bedding job to, hopefully, stop any leaks if there are any. The water damage could be years old as I have seen no evidence of leaks inside in the 2 years I've owned her. I hope I find that one of the PO did a decent re-bed job sometime in the past. Having finished that, I will wait until she is on the hard this winter and see about replacing the panel. I am going to call Warren Pandy at Catalina and see if he has recommendations for a replacement panel or if they might even have some laying around somewhere. He came through for me when I replaced a port light as he had the original patterns for my model year 310 and was able to cut an exact copy.
The other thought I had was to get a piece of the marine plywood that Chesapeake Lightcraft uses in their boat kits. It is light and flexible and close in color, perhaps, with the right light stain, I could match my teak veneer
The other thought I had was to get a piece of the marine plywood that Chesapeake Lightcraft uses in their boat kits. It is light and flexible and close in color, perhaps, with the right light stain, I could match my teak veneer
I once heard Gerry Douglas tell a bunch of owners "You should just plan on rebedding chainplates every couple years". In our climate and continuous use I've found 7-8 years to be average.
When they were building here in California the wood was done by H&R Woodworks, unfortunately the owner passed and that is no longer a source.
When they were building here in California the wood was done by H&R Woodworks, unfortunately the owner passed and that is no longer a source.
I’ve used the first product on our 2000 310 in similar places where there ad been water leaks. I did the work in place, rather than removing the panel. Pretty easy to apply, looks nice. Not sure if it‘s the same product used for the 2002 year, maybe the second product (semi-gloss)?
www.catalinadirect.com
www.catalinadirect.com
Varnish, Satin Interior 1995 to 2001, Pint
Catalina Direct, publishers of the Catalina 22 and Catalina 25 Owner's Handbooks and the largest supplier of parts and Lewmar winches for Catalina Yachts in the country
www.catalinadirect.com
Varnish, Semi-Gloss Interior 2001 to 2007, Pint
Catalina Direct, publishers of the Catalina 22 and Catalina 25 Owner's Handbooks and the largest supplier of parts and Lewmar winches for Catalina Yachts in the country
www.catalinadirect.com
If you want to try something simple first you might try Trade Secret to repair the wood. Very simple to use and it is borderline miraculous in most every situation I use it. We spilled battery acid on the cabin sole and did not notice it for a while until it faded the wood and turned it a light whitish color. This stuff restored it so you cannot tell there was ever a problem. It might work for you or it might not but it is an easy and inexpensive first option worth considering IMO.
Catalina uses Target varnish and you can buy it online from them. It is a water based varnish (seems like watery polyurethane to me). Good stuff. I suspect Catalina does that all in house now as they have a really nice wood and paint shop in the factory, and some pretty talented folks doing that work, which is likely why when I refinished the panels in my forward cabin they looked good, but not that good.