New to me 216 - Cabin Seal - Deck Rot / Repair

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Adam.Butler636

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Jul 23, 2024
6
Hunter 216 Wake Forest, NC
Hello all!



Just picked up a 04, 216 and am excited to sail. Unfortunately, the previous owner lied about a lot of the condition, so I have been doing more work than was originally expected.



Quick question, can anyone point me in the direction for a new seal for the cabin opening? I used an automotive one on a Capri 14 in the past but the shape of the existing seal on the 216 does not seem to want the same kind of seal shape.



A more serious question, I have what I can only describe as 2 'blisters' on the floor of my cockpit 6’’+ in length. One is near the hatch opening and will 'squish' down when stepped on. There is also a 'razor' like cut into the flooring nearby that will poof up water if I step nearby. I have dried everything out as much as possible and my plan is to use some Git Rot after I drill a few holes into the impacted area. Is this a good plan or is this a bad plan? I don’t have any previous experience working with the plastic that the boat is made from but I assume there is some kind of wooden core under the decking?
 
dmax

dmax

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Jul 29, 2018
1,203
Telstar 28 Buzzards Bay
You're going to want to get all of the water out of there before you start doing any kind of repair. A good way is to apply a vacuum, which will remove water and moisture - make sure the core is dry (10% moisture or less). Any repairs done with water/high moisture in the cure will not hold.
 
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Adam.Butler636

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Jul 23, 2024
6
Hunter 216 Wake Forest, NC
Appreciate the intel. I did hold my wet dry vac on it for a while and have been extreamly careful to keep it dry. I dont have a moisture meeter but I am not sure what else I can do other than what I have done. Any time the sun has been out I have let it bake as well.
 
dmax

dmax

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Jul 29, 2018
1,203
Telstar 28 Buzzards Bay
You can use a vacuum pump, you need to leave it running for a while (hours). Works best when the deck is warm from the sun - if you can achieve 30 Hg (easily done with a pump), moisture will "boil" away at 70 degrees fahrenheit. Otherwise, you would need to tear out the wet core, which is a lot more work. This is the only way to get a permanent fix.
 
capta

capta

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Jun 4, 2009
4,935
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
Some of the people who have hull blisters spend months drying the spots out, and that's on a vertical or overhead surface. Your spots are facing up, so it will be difficult to extract enough water so that a repair will solve the problem, unless you set up a vacuum system (not a home vacuum). Perhaps you can rent one, or perhaps a yard near you has one.
Your other option would be to cut out the cockpit floor from the top, rip out the soggy material, then replace the core and reglass. Neither is fun or particularly cheap, so you might want to decide if it is worth it on a 21' boat.
 
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Adam.Butler636

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Jul 23, 2024
6
Hunter 216 Wake Forest, NC
In theroy, as this boat is plastic, could I cut a 'U' shape with a dremmel, peel back the top layer, remove the soggy bits / repair then plastic weld the skin flap back down?

Does anyone have any leads on where to get that cabin seal?

Thanks again for all the help!
 
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Adam.Butler636

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Jul 23, 2024
6
Hunter 216 Wake Forest, NC
Crazy Dave Condon said:
A few pictures pleas would help I introduced that boat years ago. When you post pictures, post them to my attention @Crazy Dave Condon
Click to expand
@Crazy Dave Condon

Hi Dave,

Pictures attached, nothign like a resolution image to make me feel like I really missed looking over this boat when I bought it. I am really hoping to be able to keep this boat sailing for a while, willing to get my hands dirty, just need to know what to do.

Thank you!
 

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Crazy Dave Condon

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Jun 8, 2004
10,446
-na -NA Anywhere USA
My dealership was in Zebulon and name of it was American Marine & Sail Supply. I have one question which I need to talk with you. What is your phone number? I am retired living in the Virginia mountains

dave
 
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