core saturation

[TJBurkett]

Hi All,

I have a bit of a problem that I could use some advice on. The
previous owner of my Vega (#3398) fitted an aluminum hatch forward of
the sliding companion way(BTW-great for ventilation), and I had
noticed a small leak there in the short time I've owned her.
Presently, I have her out of the water painting the decks and numerous
other repairs and upgrades and in taking off the hatch I noticed that
the balsa core was wet around one edge of the hatch-no attempt to seal
off the core had been made when the hatch was installed. I dug out
about an inch of wet core from the side (the rest seems solid and
dry), tomorrow I'll set up some heat lamps to try and drive out the
rest of the moisture. Although I don't know the extent of the water
intrusion.

My question: what would be the best material to fill the voids with. I
was thinking either epoxy with a low density filler, or wetted out
fiberglass mat pieces. Any other ideas? Also whats the best way to
determine how far the wet area is. I don't hear any differance by
tapping, so I don't think there are voids - I was thinking of
drilling a few small holes and seeing if there was moisture.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Tom

 

[pjacobs55]

I've made similar repairs (not on a Vega ... aren't they cored with
something synthetic?) using thickened epoxy, about peanut butter
consistency, thickened with coloidal silica. Make sure you extend the
epoxy far enough in to catch the mounting holes.

A moisture meter might be a good way to map the limits of core
saturation.

Hope this helps.

Peter.

 

[baviaan69]

I have three seacocks on a row, in the close vicinity of the head.
One of these sweats a little!

I see just a little drop of water forming, not pouring in or anything
that serious.

Is this bad, is this normal?

Is there any kind of maintenance for seacocks? Greasing, polishing?Great vagb 40 btw, really inspires me to do something about my
electricity, when to do lists and time spent on paid job allow.

regards and such, Wolfgang

 

[pelagicasd]

Shouldn't leak. Check the hose clamps first. Notice that was plural. Each
fitting should have two clamps. Put one on clockwise and the other one
counter clockwise. You should also have a bung (tapered wooden plug)
attached with string at each seacock. They come in various sizes. Small end
should be able to plug the inside of the seacock with the large end big
enough to fit the hole in the hull without going all the way through. Walt
S/V Lyric #120