Leaking block

[Sean Fleming]

The block on the port side of my O'Day 23 had what I thought was a "small" leak. Prior to launching this past May, I rebedded with Life Caulk. Unfortunately, it appears as though either I didn't completely take care of the leak (although I did not notice any signs of leaking) or I sealed in the moisture. When I went below decks this past weekend I discovered a golf ball size bulge in the headliner just aft of the block - I think the moist core froze and expanded. Does anyone have any thoughts on the most appropriate fix? Does penetrating epoxy (Git Rot) really work, or should I gain access (via the headliner?) and remove the damaged core? Is it safe to use a heat gun to thaw the core? I am making my winter project list and taking care of this is right at the top. Thanks for any insight.-SRF

 

[Patrick Neeley]

Wet Core

Sean, I sent a note a few weeks ago about a similar problem on a 23 I have, but, my problem was the area under the mast step. It was easier for me to drill through the upper decking and into the core to inject Git Rot. Yours sounds like a bigger problem because of cosmetics, since the block "foot print" is much smaller than my mast step. I think you will have to drill the upper deck (1/4") to get to the core. Then you will need to heat it for some while with a heat gun or hair dryer to dry it out. Then inject the Git Rot. Then patch the holes with color matched gel coat. Then take a small sharp file and using the corner of the file, recut the "checkering" (non-skid), to blend it in with the surrounding non-skid. And, yes, the Git Rot really works. It is just thinned epoxy resin, with a slow catalyst, that stays uncurred long enough to saturate the core material, before it cures. Once it cures, it is vertually impervious to anything. I would guess that you may want to wait on this repair until the weather warms up to the 70's however, because the Git Rot formulation is probably set up for those temperatures. You want to get good saturation of the core material. Good luck.

 

[Sean Fleming]

Thanks

Patrick,Thanks for the advice. Would you suggest only drilling one hole from atop the deck for injecting the Git Rot, or is it necessary to drill several spaced-out holes for maximum penetration? It's been more than a little chilly here in CT, so I look forward to this repair in much "warmer" weather.-SRF