Hello, I recently purchased a 1978 hunter 30'. I have a moisture reader and pretty much the entire cabin top is soft, although walking on it has no flex or give. I do think the mast step needs replced, along with the compression block. There are larger cracks throughout the top coat (coat has been redone every 5 years) and water drips through old drill holes (from interior grab rails) on the inside. I have thought about epoxy injection or, worst case, a complete replacement. What advice or tips would anyone be able to give, Im not too sure how to start this project. The side decks and foredeck are completly dry, still needs a fresh top coat though. Thank you in advance!
Soft Cabin Top
- Thread starter H30refit
- Start date
It takes some knowledge and experience to properly interpret moisture readings. While it sounds like you have some obvious flaws in the deck, you would be better off relying on someone with the skill required to interpret the readings and assess the problem area(s) before proceeding.
A sagging mast step on a deck stepped mast boat isn’t a small problem generally fixed By “replacing”.
A sagging mast step on a deck stepped mast boat isn’t a small problem generally fixed By “replacing”.
Use the terms "deck, core and recore" in the search on this website and read 18 years worth of posts on the subject.
If yours is a Cherubini like my buddies you are also going to be fixing the mast support inside. That is a combination of carbon steel and wood and subject to deterioration.
It is a great boat. He sailed his to Hawaii, then Palmyra and back. I have helped with some of the repairs and to me it is relatively easy to work on. Well worth the effort.
If yours is a Cherubini like my buddies you are also going to be fixing the mast support inside. That is a combination of carbon steel and wood and subject to deterioration.
It is a great boat. He sailed his to Hawaii, then Palmyra and back. I have helped with some of the repairs and to me it is relatively easy to work on. Well worth the effort.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,574
Hi @H30refit. Welcome to the SBO Forums.
First and foremost, I would break the concerns down to individual projects. I would then prioritize the projects. Once you have them identified, you need to compare your skills to the complexity of the projects and decide which ones are DIY projects and which you will need expert help in resolving. If your budget is unlimited, then call up a boat builder. If not, then you need to begin with the most serious issue and work your way through the list.
Stopping water from getting into the boat is a high priority. If the only place that is dripping, put a tarp over it and stop the water ingress.
Start to learn about fiberglass and resins. The first thing you will discover is that resin and water are enemies until the resin is catalyzed and cured. Then resin wins the battle for a while. If the boat is wet where you want to fiberglass, you need to dry it out first.
Techniques are varied. Some folks use heat to evaporate the water. You can use dehydrators and a vacuum pump to dry out the water from the boat. All of it takes time.
Sailing with a bad mast step is not recommended. The worst thing you can do is have the mast fail and fall on top of the boat or into the water.
I am fairly sure the ASA class did not discuss such details.
You are on a forum where many of us have worked through such projects. It takes time and attention to detail. The best part is that as you complete the work, you will know more about your boat than 85% of boat owners.
Good luck, and let us know what you are beginning to do.
There is a lot compacted in your query "What advice or tips...?"
First and foremost, I would break the concerns down to individual projects. I would then prioritize the projects. Once you have them identified, you need to compare your skills to the complexity of the projects and decide which ones are DIY projects and which you will need expert help in resolving. If your budget is unlimited, then call up a boat builder. If not, then you need to begin with the most serious issue and work your way through the list.
Stopping water from getting into the boat is a high priority. If the only place that is dripping, put a tarp over it and stop the water ingress.
Start to learn about fiberglass and resins. The first thing you will discover is that resin and water are enemies until the resin is catalyzed and cured. Then resin wins the battle for a while. If the boat is wet where you want to fiberglass, you need to dry it out first.
Techniques are varied. Some folks use heat to evaporate the water. You can use dehydrators and a vacuum pump to dry out the water from the boat. All of it takes time.
Sailing with a bad mast step is not recommended. The worst thing you can do is have the mast fail and fall on top of the boat or into the water.
I am fairly sure the ASA class did not discuss such details.
You are on a forum where many of us have worked through such projects. It takes time and attention to detail. The best part is that as you complete the work, you will know more about your boat than 85% of boat owners.
Good luck, and let us know what you are beginning to do.