Hey everyone, When it rains there is hardly a difference between the outside and the inside on my `77 oday 27... The stanchions, through the years, have taken a beating and the fiberglass under them is failing. Because of these leaks the rear quarter berths are almost always wet and are beggining to Rot (a topic for another day). The galley cabinetry is almost always wet and the laminated wood is just coming apart. I've tried calking around the stanchion bases but that didnt work. I've tried tightening the stanchion screws but the holes are too far gone for the screws to do anything. What's my best option? I'm new to boat repair and I understand there are about nine trillion things that need to be fixed but i'm on a limited budget. Therefore I'm just goin one step at a time and I figure getting the boat to stop leaking is a good first step. Any suggestions are more than welcome and thanks in advance for your responses. Happy Sailing, Matt
Leaky Deck hardware
- Thread starter The Commodore
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Life-Calk
Hi Matt, I use Life-Calk mfg by Boatlife. This is a flexible sealant and use it for stantions. Suggest you loosen the mount screws (you will need a helper). You can remove the nuts on the inside screws (ones closer to boat centerline) but not the ones on the outside. They will be hard to get back on the screws if they come off. You will be able to tilt the stantion base up to clean under with the inside nuts off and outside loose. Apply Life-Calk and remount stantion but do not fully tighten screws. Fully tighten next day. Good Luck
Hi Matt, I use Life-Calk mfg by Boatlife. This is a flexible sealant and use it for stantions. Suggest you loosen the mount screws (you will need a helper). You can remove the nuts on the inside screws (ones closer to boat centerline) but not the ones on the outside. They will be hard to get back on the screws if they come off. You will be able to tilt the stantion base up to clean under with the inside nuts off and outside loose. Apply Life-Calk and remount stantion but do not fully tighten screws. Fully tighten next day. Good Luck
I had the same boat
It's difficult, particularly because it's hard to reach the stanchion bolts. One thing I can advise is to re-bed the handrail on the cabin top and anything else up there -- lot's of water comes in there & runs down to other plces like the windows, etc.
It's difficult, particularly because it's hard to reach the stanchion bolts. One thing I can advise is to re-bed the handrail on the cabin top and anything else up there -- lot's of water comes in there & runs down to other plces like the windows, etc.
Thanks!
Hey everyone, Thanks for your help! I'll give it a shot next time I'm down at my boat. My Boat's woodwork is eternally greatful! Thanks Again. -Matt
Hey everyone, Thanks for your help! I'll give it a shot next time I'm down at my boat. My Boat's woodwork is eternally greatful! Thanks Again. -Matt
Leaks thru deck
Matt - I don't want to discourage you, but if the leakage is as extensive as you suggest, there is probably a fair amt. of rot in the balsa core. If you're able to do the work yourself, the repair is more a matter of time than money, as it will take a lot of effort, patience & time to properly address those issues. Trying to stop the leaks by recaulking will, at best, only give you a short-term solution. Suggest you spend $3-4 and pick up a copy of the West System booklet " Fiberglass Boat Repair & Maintenance" : it will at least put you on the right track to fix the problems properly.
Matt - I don't want to discourage you, but if the leakage is as extensive as you suggest, there is probably a fair amt. of rot in the balsa core. If you're able to do the work yourself, the repair is more a matter of time than money, as it will take a lot of effort, patience & time to properly address those issues. Trying to stop the leaks by recaulking will, at best, only give you a short-term solution. Suggest you spend $3-4 and pick up a copy of the West System booklet " Fiberglass Boat Repair & Maintenance" : it will at least put you on the right track to fix the problems properly.
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