Cabin Sole Section Edges Delaminating

[ToddL214]

Our 2000 Catalina 310 took on water from this spring's Texas rains, (leaking cabin top port), and before we got the leaks stopped the cabin sole section near the rear berth, (thankfully only about a 2 ft by 2ft section), has started de-laminating for about 6-8 inches around it's edges.

Thankfully the other sections haven't de-laminated at all.

I'm interested in anyone's help who has an idea or has encountered a similar problem and particularly recommendations on 1) tricks to finish the separation prior to the repair, 2) what to clean the two pieces with prior to putting them back together and 3) the best contact cement to use to get a good bond.

Other advice or experience will also be thankfully received. This forum is really impressive and has already helped me with several items on this new boat.

Thanks,
Todd L.

 

[SawyerCurt]

I heard from another Catalina owner in my Club that Catalina is notorious for not sealing the underside of the cabin sole boards. If you pick one up, you'll find that they are unsealed luane plywood. He had his V-berth piece get moisture in it and it completely delaminated. He recommended we take up the boards and seal the bottoms (with particular emphasis on the edges) with a good sealer poly or the like, although I haven't had time to do that yet. I'll check with him to see if he can answer your questions (he has a 36' Catalina so he isn't on this forum).

 

[SawyerCurt]

I checked with the other Catalina owner, and if we understand this correctly, you want to pull the pieces apart to completely reseal them? He wouldn't do that because it is bound to cause the laminate to pull apart at some point and tear. As far as cleaning, he'd wipe with acetone (which he uses to clean anything and everything). Then he had someone use Gaugin Bros epoxy to repair the damage because it spreads easily and takes a while to set up. He would think any good Gorilla glue would work, although it would be harder to spread.

Hope that helps. Again, I have no experience with this situation. Just passing along some info from a Catalina 36 owner...

 

[ToddL214]

Thanks for reaching out beyond our group and the guidance.

I'm bias to cleaning with acetone myself. I'll more closely inspect the ply layer base and edges before I make my plan.

 

[RIVERCRUISER]

I heard from another Catalina owner in my Club that Catalina is notorious for not sealing the underside of the cabin sole boards. .

Hunter too...

 

[ToddL214]

Here's an update to close this thread...
Today I'll reinstall the repaired cabin sole section and call this repair a success.
I cleaned the surfaces with acetone and then used West System slow cure epoxy to give me plenty of working time in the Texas heat.
I used 3/4 inch plywood on both sides and C clamps arount the edge of the piece to sandwich the base and laminate together while the epoxy cured. I also positioned wax paper between the plywood and cabin sole piece to make sure they didn't bond if I overlooked any excess epoxy as I clamped everything together.
I learned that spills and excess epoxy can be easily cleaned up prior to curing with acetone and a rag which saved me from disaster on two occasions.