FIBERGLASS REPAIR

[J Olson]

MY C30 HAD SOME REPAIRS DONE AFTER SOME STANTION DAMAGE. NOW THE DECH HAS DRIED INSIDE AND I HAVE CRACKING GOING ON IN THE TOE RAIL BETWEEN 2 STANTIONS. IT SEEMS TO ME I HAVE TO TAKE THE DECK OFF AND REPLACE THE WOOD CORE. UNFORTUNATELY IT IS A 3 FOOT SECTION. ANY SUGGESTIONS ABOUT REPLACING THE NONSKID??????I WOULD LIKE TO MATCH IT BACK IN.

 

[Nate Jackson]

repairs

Before I went into replacing the core I would certainly first try one of the chemicals that are supposed to dry, and fill in the wood core where it has gotten wet. try west marine or boat us, i know I've seen this product in their catalogues.. for the non skid the normal method is to 1. put a light coat of wax and a releasing agent on a piece of adjacent non skid, 2.use a liqud type of molding putty to make a mold of the non skid surface, then 3. use that mold to prepare the surface of your non skid when you put down your gelcoat in that area. the mold will help the gelcoat cure and insure it cures in a pattern similar to what exists on your boat.. there will be mis-matches on the edges where the old meets the new, but probably only you will see them.Good luck,Nate

 

[John]

hay nate

My core is reading almost dry except in some small places .what do you think about drilling holes in the bottom of the nonskid dimond drying the core throw the holes then epoxying throw a1/8 " hole and gelcoating over small holes in bottom of nonskid.I was thinking about useing a dremil to shape holes for gelcoat ?

 

[Nate Jackson]

Repairs

John,How much area are we talking about, just inches or feet?? if it's only a few square inches I might be inclined to try the small hole routine, for much more I'd want to be sure to get the area dried.. look in the catalogues, I'm sure I've seen a product that mixes with the damp core and forms a hard material with the saturated wood.. If so it may be good to drill a few holes every 1/2 inch or so and fill it.. even if you do go with this method I think it would dry quicker if you also drilled a few holes in the bottom of the deck.. probably would't see them if you went all the way through.. I suppose the inner liner woould cover them.. problem may be getting access to them to tape them so you can fill with epoxy.. let me know how things finally shake out..thanksnate