Actually, two questions for Dave, or anyone who'd like to contribute. I have a 1993 23.5. First, I have some delamination on the forward bulkhead below the V-berth. I removed the access panel to the bow area that the bulkhead seals and found no water, but did have some slight mold on the foam inside. I bleached the mold and it hasn't returned. I drilled a hole through the bulkhead and the wood was dry. I think it leaked through the access panel which was originally sealed with a bead of caulk. The caulk had failed when I removed it. What is the best way to repair this? I thought about removing the affected area and sandwiching in a "patch". Is this bulkhead structurally necessary or just there to seal the bow in case of hull damage?
Second, I have been re-sealing all the deck hardware and have eliminated almost all of the leaks I had. I would like to re-seal the stanchions. I've tested the tightness of the screws and am afraid I may break them when attempting to loosen them. I'm also worried about what they screw into. There is no access to the inside and if I remove the screws, will a backing plate or nuts drop off inside the liner?
All advice is appreciated.
Second, I have been re-sealing all the deck hardware and have eliminated almost all of the leaks I had. I would like to re-seal the stanchions. I've tested the tightness of the screws and am afraid I may break them when attempting to loosen them. I'm also worried about what they screw into. There is no access to the inside and if I remove the screws, will a backing plate or nuts drop off inside the liner?
All advice is appreciated.