My wife and I recently purchased our first Hunter(actually November 25,2005) and the marine survey revealed a few problems. First and foremost is the 'Spongy Section' of deck. Just to clarify the reading of moisture was just a bit less than the rudder. The section is only about 1ft by 1ft and it appears as though there has been at least one attempt to fix it with the attachment of a vacuum in two spots. Obviously did not resolve the problem otherwise I would not be here. Any suggestions as to how to fix the problem before it grows? Also one of the deck plates that the spreader stay attaches to is leaking and the water is following the steel beam down int the salon and into the bilge. Any suggestions as to how to fix/ repair/ resolve this problem? Any advice for a 'NEW'(maybe I should say 'Green') Hunter owner? Thanks because I do have more questions to ask.
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How bad is it
is it very spongy? If not maybe the wood will dry out. The first thing to do is figure out if where the water came from, otherwise it will happen again. The way to fix it is painfull. Cut the fiberglass around the spot, remove it, replace the wood, glue the fiber back and seal around the cut.
is it very spongy? If not maybe the wood will dry out. The first thing to do is figure out if where the water came from, otherwise it will happen again. The way to fix it is painfull. Cut the fiberglass around the spot, remove it, replace the wood, glue the fiber back and seal around the cut.
Recent discussion.
See the Related Link below for a recent discssion about this topic. Then buy the West System booklets for more detailed info. You do not state where the "sponginess" is located. Is it related to the leaking chainplates(where the shrouds attach on the sidedecks)? That problem must first be solved. If the boat has lived in saltwater then you may as well plan on replacing them. Pay particular attention to the bulkheads where they are bolted. To stop those leaks you should cut away the top and replace the coring. You are going to find lots of rotten plywood around the stainless bars. Even if you seal from above the water will still find its way through the coring and run down, and further corrode and weaken, those chainplates. The trick is to surround them with coring that was first soaked in epoxy. I have a 1979 Cherubini so I know how much fun old boats can be.
See the Related Link below for a recent discssion about this topic. Then buy the West System booklets for more detailed info. You do not state where the "sponginess" is located. Is it related to the leaking chainplates(where the shrouds attach on the sidedecks)? That problem must first be solved. If the boat has lived in saltwater then you may as well plan on replacing them. Pay particular attention to the bulkheads where they are bolted. To stop those leaks you should cut away the top and replace the coring. You are going to find lots of rotten plywood around the stainless bars. Even if you seal from above the water will still find its way through the coring and run down, and further corrode and weaken, those chainplates. The trick is to surround them with coring that was first soaked in epoxy. I have a 1979 Cherubini so I know how much fun old boats can be.
Thanks
Dear Ed & Waffle, Thanks for your quick responses. 1)The spongy area is isolated about 2ft astern and a bit port of the mast footing.Is the most likely source of the water a micrco fracture un the Gelcoat or more likely from the footing. When the moisture metyer was moved over the area or I should say around the area,there was no sign of of a path from the mast to the affected spot. 2)When the Moisture Meter was moved around the Chani Plate there was no evidence of more moisture than there should be. So when I go to make that repair I will be very alert to that possibility and will probably use the Git Juice Compound to be on the safe side any way. Please feel free to E-Mail me directly. Thanks again for the advise. I'm hoping for more in put as well as any advise one might have for a 'NEW' to me Hunter owner. Alos in closing Ed we are moving out of our 25ft Bayfield into this Hunter. Can hardly wait for the spring. Kevin
Dear Ed & Waffle, Thanks for your quick responses. 1)The spongy area is isolated about 2ft astern and a bit port of the mast footing.Is the most likely source of the water a micrco fracture un the Gelcoat or more likely from the footing. When the moisture metyer was moved over the area or I should say around the area,there was no sign of of a path from the mast to the affected spot. 2)When the Moisture Meter was moved around the Chani Plate there was no evidence of more moisture than there should be. So when I go to make that repair I will be very alert to that possibility and will probably use the Git Juice Compound to be on the safe side any way. Please feel free to E-Mail me directly. Thanks again for the advise. I'm hoping for more in put as well as any advise one might have for a 'NEW' to me Hunter owner. Alos in closing Ed we are moving out of our 25ft Bayfield into this Hunter. Can hardly wait for the spring. Kevin
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