87 Hunter 28.5 Have a small (~14"x14") soft spot starboard of the mast. The area flexes about 1/4 inch. Drilled a few 1/4" holes to fill with clear penetrating epoxy....assuming water intrusion rotted deck core. However, when I drilled the holes, I got dry and good looking wood in the drill bit? I am totally perplexed over what to do. Any ideas appreciated.
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Would guess
That the deck has delaminated from the core. While this is primarily caused by water intrusion, it is not a given. Possibly just from stress from the mast step flexing the deck. Possibly from flex, caused by something like the mast support under the mast. As to the cure, not sure one would go about this. Possibly some epoxy resin injected and enough weight put on the deck till it cured out. I'm sure you will get plenty of other opinions and fixes.
That the deck has delaminated from the core. While this is primarily caused by water intrusion, it is not a given. Possibly just from stress from the mast step flexing the deck. Possibly from flex, caused by something like the mast support under the mast. As to the cure, not sure one would go about this. Possibly some epoxy resin injected and enough weight put on the deck till it cured out. I'm sure you will get plenty of other opinions and fixes.
Dry delam..
Sounds like dry delaminataion. It can happen for any number of reasons. Sometimes the resin was allowed to kick off before they placed in the balsa on the skin and sometimes there was just not enough resin to saturate the balsa. It can also happen in areas of high heat. There are basically two ways to attempt a fix. 1) Inject with epoxy but this is not always a sure thing 2) Remove the top skin, re-glass, fair and repair the non-skid. this is usually the best fix though more invasive.
Sounds like dry delaminataion. It can happen for any number of reasons. Sometimes the resin was allowed to kick off before they placed in the balsa on the skin and sometimes there was just not enough resin to saturate the balsa. It can also happen in areas of high heat. There are basically two ways to attempt a fix. 1) Inject with epoxy but this is not always a sure thing 2) Remove the top skin, re-glass, fair and repair the non-skid. this is usually the best fix though more invasive.
I have done a fair amount of cored work. With a few
problems. You can purchase 10.5 ounce empty caulk tubes. With these you can mix a filled polyester resin and load the tube. Drill a series of 1/4 inch holes where you need to fill and have some plugs at hand. start pumping filler into the holes as it erupts from each hole, plug the hole and keep pumping until all of the holes are filled or it stops accepting filler. Holes about 2 inches on centers is good. If it stop accepting filler and you still have open holes shift to those and continue. Mix the resin in freezer weight zipper bags, clip off a corner and fill the caulk tube.
problems. You can purchase 10.5 ounce empty caulk tubes. With these you can mix a filled polyester resin and load the tube. Drill a series of 1/4 inch holes where you need to fill and have some plugs at hand. start pumping filler into the holes as it erupts from each hole, plug the hole and keep pumping until all of the holes are filled or it stops accepting filler. Holes about 2 inches on centers is good. If it stop accepting filler and you still have open holes shift to those and continue. Mix the resin in freezer weight zipper bags, clip off a corner and fill the caulk tube.
Good Ideas. One more thing....
Wow....thank a million for the info. A friend came by and offered this opinion. The "headliner" which is a thin FBGLS skin on the bottom of the deck (ceiling of cabin) has delaminated from the core right at the same spot of the soft spot. There is about one half inch of air space between the core and the headliner. The upperside of the deck is not delaminated. He suggested pump some epoxy into this air space and then immediately wedge a 2x4 support from the cabin floor up to the ceiling to press the headliner onto the underside of the deck and let the epoxy set up. The theory is that the FBGLS skins on both sides of the core will make it rigid. I will follow your suggestions to fill the holes with epoxy and hope it permeates thru the majority of the core. I have the clear penetrating epoxy system (CPES) complete with the cool syringe which I got from the "rot doctor" which seems to be the best product available. At all costs, I do not want to pull the skin off. What do you think? Oh how I appreciate your help.....Gary
Wow....thank a million for the info. A friend came by and offered this opinion. The "headliner" which is a thin FBGLS skin on the bottom of the deck (ceiling of cabin) has delaminated from the core right at the same spot of the soft spot. There is about one half inch of air space between the core and the headliner. The upperside of the deck is not delaminated. He suggested pump some epoxy into this air space and then immediately wedge a 2x4 support from the cabin floor up to the ceiling to press the headliner onto the underside of the deck and let the epoxy set up. The theory is that the FBGLS skins on both sides of the core will make it rigid. I will follow your suggestions to fill the holes with epoxy and hope it permeates thru the majority of the core. I have the clear penetrating epoxy system (CPES) complete with the cool syringe which I got from the "rot doctor" which seems to be the best product available. At all costs, I do not want to pull the skin off. What do you think? Oh how I appreciate your help.....Gary
Gary, CEPES is full of solvents to increase the penetration
but that solvent has to be able to evaporate. Your main concern is to bond the inner skin and the outer skin to the core. If the inner skin has separated as much as you say then a couple of bolts with nuts and washers may be in order to pull the skins together before you start injecting resin. These can be removed later with tools and a little heat from a soldering iron. You will still need many holes to be able to track your progress while filling.
but that solvent has to be able to evaporate. Your main concern is to bond the inner skin and the outer skin to the core. If the inner skin has separated as much as you say then a couple of bolts with nuts and washers may be in order to pull the skins together before you start injecting resin. These can be removed later with tools and a little heat from a soldering iron. You will still need many holes to be able to track your progress while filling.
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