I have steadily been working on getting my Hunter 23 back in the water this coming spring, but have come across a few unexpected problems.
My basic question is:
Does anyone know exactly where Hunter used deck core on the Hunter 23?
To my knowledge, they used core material in the transom, mast step area, and where the chain plates attach to the hull. I'd like to know if it is anywhere else.
The reason for my question is that I had the normal leak around the bottom rudder attachment point on the transom. The wood was wet, but I dug around until I got to what I thought was solid good wood. Then I filled in the the holes with epoxy and re drilled them and attached the rudder support.
A few days ago, I removed the deck connectors near the mast with the intention of replacing them. What I found was depressing. I think the entire core around the mast is wet, definitely more than I can dig out with the existing holes. The core area appears to be approximately a 2x2 square, but I don't really have a firm idea.
I am going to leave the hole open the rest of the winter and try and let it dry out as much as possible, but I am not confident that it will really improve. Ultimately, I am unsure what to do to fix the core area. No where on the boat is the deck soft and that was one of the main reasons I bought the boat.
If there are other possible area I need to check, I'd like to know.
The area around the mast is really thick. From what I can tell starting from the top and going down there is:
3/4 to 1in of solid fiberglass
1/2 to 3/4 plywood
1/8 in thin layer of glass
Given that there is not any flex in the deck around the mast, do you think that I should just let it dry out, fill it, and let it go?
I don't want the deck to collapse around the mast while I am sailing. But given the mast support from the deck to the sole is solid, I doubt that would happen. On the other hand, Hunter obviously saw a need to strengthen the area from the factory.
Overall, I have put so much time, energy, and money into getting the boat ready for the water that I am a little discouraged that I will ever get there. This was just icing on that cake I suppose.
Let me know your thoughts.
My basic question is:
Does anyone know exactly where Hunter used deck core on the Hunter 23?
To my knowledge, they used core material in the transom, mast step area, and where the chain plates attach to the hull. I'd like to know if it is anywhere else.
The reason for my question is that I had the normal leak around the bottom rudder attachment point on the transom. The wood was wet, but I dug around until I got to what I thought was solid good wood. Then I filled in the the holes with epoxy and re drilled them and attached the rudder support.
A few days ago, I removed the deck connectors near the mast with the intention of replacing them. What I found was depressing. I think the entire core around the mast is wet, definitely more than I can dig out with the existing holes. The core area appears to be approximately a 2x2 square, but I don't really have a firm idea.
I am going to leave the hole open the rest of the winter and try and let it dry out as much as possible, but I am not confident that it will really improve. Ultimately, I am unsure what to do to fix the core area. No where on the boat is the deck soft and that was one of the main reasons I bought the boat.
If there are other possible area I need to check, I'd like to know.
The area around the mast is really thick. From what I can tell starting from the top and going down there is:
3/4 to 1in of solid fiberglass
1/2 to 3/4 plywood
1/8 in thin layer of glass
Given that there is not any flex in the deck around the mast, do you think that I should just let it dry out, fill it, and let it go?
I don't want the deck to collapse around the mast while I am sailing. But given the mast support from the deck to the sole is solid, I doubt that would happen. On the other hand, Hunter obviously saw a need to strengthen the area from the factory.
Overall, I have put so much time, energy, and money into getting the boat ready for the water that I am a little discouraged that I will ever get there. This was just icing on that cake I suppose.
Let me know your thoughts.