shroud attachment access

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O

olo

I have an O'day 27 and have been wondering how the front and back (lower) shrouds have been attached to the boat. The access to these from the interior is quite difficult since they seem to be sealed behind the molded headliner. I can see a rectangular area that appears to be the access point but I can't tell how to get into it other than chip away whatever material was used to fill in this area (epoxy and glass?) It's very tough. I'm getting a small hump on deck around these shrouds and am worried that I may be getting water in there. The center/upper shrouds are fine since they are attached to a chainplate on the bulkhead. Any ideas? Danny
 
May 9, 2006
9
Catalina 42 MKII SF Bay
Shrouds

That is exactly what my lower 'SHROUD' chainplates are doing. Eventually you will get stress cracks there too if you don't already. My boat does not have them yet but I've seen some boats that have them really bad right under the window. There is a plate that is behind that epoxy covering that you are refering too, embedded in the deck. I am assuming that the plywood/balsa core is rotted out after all these years and the chainplate is relying only on the exterior deck fiberglass to keep it from pulling out. The lower chainplates and the original main sheet attachment point is really the only design flaws that I have found on my boat. I have not done it yet but I am going to open that epoxy covering up with a dremel or hamer and chisel and remove the stock chain plates and dig out any rotten wood. My Catalina 27 had the updated lower chainplate U-Bolt kit purchased from Catalinadirect.com Attached is the link to their site and this kit. This U-Bolt and backing plate system ($85.00) was well worth it, and made my Catalina lowers super strong so I am going to use it on my Oday27. Hope this helps. I will post some pix when it is finished but I may not start this project till next month. Cheers, Dave.
 

DannyS

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May 27, 2004
933
Beneteau 393 Bayfield, Wi
lower shrouds

Sounds like I have (another) project on my hands. So the core is balsa in this area and not plywood? Did you have any backup plans for gaining more access from the inside had you found rot? The original interior access point seems small to conduct anything more than a minor archeological dig and/or repair. Any thoughts on rotozipping a larger window in the headliner? Thanks for the ideas. Danny
 
P

Phil

lower shrouds

Danny, I had always planned on going in from the top for core replacement because the horror stories of having to relaminate in a core from the bottom up. Also grinding outside is a lot more preferable to grinding inside the cabin. One guy I spoke with used his saw to cut around the perimeter of the non-skid on deck, replaced the core material and then replaced that same skin piece. This way the fairing in was all done on the smooth and he did not have to mess with the non-skid. Just glad that I have not had to deal with this.
 
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