any insight on interior reconstruction of a H23

Status
Not open for further replies.
R

Rob D

Towards the end of last season I purchased a 85 Hunter 23 as my first sailboat. The interior looked like it had seen better days but the price seemed right . Needless to say I got two months of sailing in and had to lay her up for the winter. After opening her up for this season I realized that her bulkheads were rotted as well as the the most of the ribs under the benches, and bench tops ,ect. It didnt seem to be that big of a deal to gut and rebuild her .I have grinded down all the fiberglass that held the bench ribs and berths in place as well as the shelving and bulkheads .I am intending to use a combination of marine ply an marine acumie for finished areas . One thing I noticed is the way the floor insert was fastend to the hull from the factory . It appears that there are many voids in the fiberglass and floorpan seams that alowed {rain} water from the bildge to penatrate all the upright wood footings as well as the compartments under the benches and cause them to rot . I plan to fiberglass the perimeter of the insert to fix this problem . I am ready to start cutting wood and rebuilding her and I would realy appreciate any insight on this issue as well as other things to do or watch out for in the process of the restoration Thank You Rob D
 
F

Frank Ladd

preventing wood rot

The best way I know to prevent wood rot is to saturate the wood with epoxy after you have the pieces cut to size. This prevent any water that contacts the wood from penetrating into the wood. Epoxy saturation causes one problem because you'll have to use epoxy laminating resin instead of inexpensive polyester resin. Polyester resin does not stick to epoxy very well. Epoxy resin will stick to polyester or vinylester resin. Wear a respirator and or make sure the boat is well ventilated. Also were gloves as it will reduce you exposure to the epoxy resin. Epoxy resin is a skin sensitizer and repeated skin exposure will cause interesting hives and other fun skin reactions.
 
C

crazy dave

Rob

If you have the time, that is great; otherwise, give it an old viking funeral. It sounds like a project boat with alot of work and materials.. Are you sure you want to go this route: Please advise. IF you do, then I will try to give you my two cents worth what to do. Crazy Dave Condon
 
R

Rob D

Dave! Ready for your two cents...

Dave Im prety much commited. I have all ready spent a great deal of time with the grinding and prep . So providing any unsafe situations {compresion posts ,chain plates ect, Im Ready. {I THINK}...
 
R

Randy Simmons

Been There, Done That!

Finished rebuilding my H23 from scratch last year. Ran into all kinds of difficulties that took some "creative" approaches... Email me at randysims@zoominternet.net if you have any questions. Did a lot of upgrades that were not necessary, but are great to have on the boat. I will be going up to Erie and the boat Sunday and will take the digital camera and take photos if you are interested (I keep forgetting the camera!). As far as waterproofing the bulkhead in the stern area, I fiberglassed 6 inches high and then painted the wood white with a Kilz waterproof paint (Walmart and cheap!). The paint went on and dried bright white, seemed a little "rubbery", but looks great. I'm still getting some water in the bilge, but I think it is coming from the cockpit seat that opens to that area and it doesn't get into the rest of the boat. DON'T HESITATE TO ASK ANYTHING... Randy Simmons H23 "Munchkin"
 
A

Alan Long

A pat on the back

I admire you guys spirit. Imagine two people that have rebuilt a H23. Good Luck...if I lived closer, I'd be glad to pitch in and help. Keep us posted on the progress Alan Long
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top Bottom