Not sure what to make of this or how the damage occurred
- Thread starter skrause
- Start date
Someone who knows what the deck material at the bow is can suggest a repair. Certainly looks like rot from moisture especially after repeated freeze/thaw cycles.
I believe the deck joint is a "shoebox", eg the deck fits over the edge of the hull. What you see is the edge that has gotten damaged somehow, maybe ice, but I'm thinking it got repeatedly bashed at one point in time. It looks bad enough to cause leaks, possibly into the deck core. Your stemhead is mostly tied to the hull, not the deck, so I would think it's probably safe enough to sail until you can fix it.
Unfortunately, in order to fix it properly, you are going to have to take off the stemhead and anchor roller, which means contorting in your tiny anchor locker. Once that's done, the fix is easy enough, grind off all the damaged glass, reglass it, then paint or gelcoat to make it pretty again.
Unfortunately, in order to fix it properly, you are going to have to take off the stemhead and anchor roller, which means contorting in your tiny anchor locker. Once that's done, the fix is easy enough, grind off all the damaged glass, reglass it, then paint or gelcoat to make it pretty again.
Thank you very much for this response, it clarifies that this is work I will do prior to next season, but can enjoy the remaining few sailing opportunities I have before the season wraps-up in Midland, Ontario. I am assuming if I tape/cover with some plastic (so moisture doesn't get in) and then tarp my whole boat for the winter months that the damage will not be worse in the spring when it will be repaired.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,524
You may want to consider taping a plastic sheet over the area and then pulling a vacuum and seal it. Pull as much moisture as is practical out of the area. Before allowing the boat to sit in the winter cold. Once the moisture is pulled from the area, you want to keep it dry through to spring and the opportunity to make the repairs.
I did a similar repair in the same area of a boat. Doing it from inside was absolute hell and may have shaved a few years off of my life from breathing in fiberglass dust. Full face respirators are far superior to half but not bulletproof when your head is crammed into a 3ft cubic area with an angle grinder. Vacuums only do so much. I suggest doing this repair from outside the boat