Does anyone out there know if the toe rails on a 1981 Hunter 22 serve to hold the deck to hull joint together? I am considering removing mine to reseal them and am concerned about possible deck/hull separation or joint creep after removing the screws holding the toe rails down. I suspect that the screws are not the primary elements holding the deck/hull joint together, but a definitive statement one way or the other from a Hunter expert would be nice... Also, any thoughts on an appropriate sealant? The original appears to be a form of mastic. Thanks
Toe rail and hull/deck joint integrity
- Thread starter ddt
- Start date
- Status
Take a look
In the photo forums, theres a diary of a hunter 23 gunwale core replacement. You'll see how it all works in a 23..I can only assume it's pretty similar to the 22.
In the photo forums, theres a diary of a hunter 23 gunwale core replacement. You'll see how it all works in a 23..I can only assume it's pretty similar to the 22.
H22 rail is not the same as H23
Thanks for the pointer, but they are quite different. The 1981 H22 toe rail is attached with 1-1/4" SS screws from the top. The H23 pics in the link show that the attachments for it go through the side...
Thanks for the pointer, but they are quite different. The 1981 H22 toe rail is attached with 1-1/4" SS screws from the top. The H23 pics in the link show that the attachments for it go through the side...
No expert, but my $.02
I would guess that like on the 23 the rail masks the joint, you'll find more screws beneath it, and while its not the primary bond it does help hold it together. My second thought is that on an '81, if you remove the rail and the hull/deck joint does creep, it might be time for some maintenance on that as well while you have it all apart. I redid the whole joint on my 23 two years ago - raised the whole deck with a shop hoist, cleaned, resealed with 3M 5200 and doubled up on the screws when it all went back together - I think Hunter kinda went a little too sparingly on those when it was built. For the rub rail, and your toe rail, you should probably use a polysulfide based sealer.
I would guess that like on the 23 the rail masks the joint, you'll find more screws beneath it, and while its not the primary bond it does help hold it together. My second thought is that on an '81, if you remove the rail and the hull/deck joint does creep, it might be time for some maintenance on that as well while you have it all apart. I redid the whole joint on my 23 two years ago - raised the whole deck with a shop hoist, cleaned, resealed with 3M 5200 and doubled up on the screws when it all went back together - I think Hunter kinda went a little too sparingly on those when it was built. For the rub rail, and your toe rail, you should probably use a polysulfide based sealer.
deck joint
Their are extra screws under the toe rail. So you can remove the tie rail to reseal it. Are you sure it is leaking? The joint is well made and sealed it may only appear to be the joint when the water maybe coming form the bilge when the boat is healed over. Sounds crazy but the water from the bilge can travel between the boat and the liner and come out over the liner at the joint so you think it's the rail and it's not. If the bilge is dry and you have leaking at the joint area then I would suspect the deck joint. It took me a summer to detect this. Good luck
Their are extra screws under the toe rail. So you can remove the tie rail to reseal it. Are you sure it is leaking? The joint is well made and sealed it may only appear to be the joint when the water maybe coming form the bilge when the boat is healed over. Sounds crazy but the water from the bilge can travel between the boat and the liner and come out over the liner at the joint so you think it's the rail and it's not. If the bilge is dry and you have leaking at the joint area then I would suspect the deck joint. It took me a summer to detect this. Good luck
Now, that's one I would not have thought of...
As far as I can tell, the joint that is visible from the inside is of the actual exterior hull/deck, not of a liner/liner one. I have yet to have the boat in the water under sail, as I only recently purchased it. I want to fix any potential problems before I take it out in the spring. The main reason for my concern about the toe rail is that there are traces of mildew on the inside of the boat along the joint. Also, the screws are not well-seated, and the mastic underneath is in poor shape due to age. Reports from other owners have pointed to leaks at the toe rail as the most likely cause. I do know that there are top-side leaks, as I found water in the previously dry bilge after a rain. There was also water in the forward storage compartment under the V-berth. I am virtually certain that some of this has come from where the mast is attached, as I witnessed water dripping inside underneath it during a rain. My guess is that it traveled between the inner liner and the deck, forward, then came out at the end of the liner over the compartment. Some of the water then ran into the compartment, the rest into the bilge. I plan to try the 'tape it up and blow in air' technique soon to find the exact entry points. I have the boat inside for the winter for these repairs, which will make them somewhat easier to effect. If anyone has wisdom to offer concerning likely topside leaks on an '81 H22 (and for that matter, any other good advice for a first time sailboat owner), I'm all ears...
As far as I can tell, the joint that is visible from the inside is of the actual exterior hull/deck, not of a liner/liner one. I have yet to have the boat in the water under sail, as I only recently purchased it. I want to fix any potential problems before I take it out in the spring. The main reason for my concern about the toe rail is that there are traces of mildew on the inside of the boat along the joint. Also, the screws are not well-seated, and the mastic underneath is in poor shape due to age. Reports from other owners have pointed to leaks at the toe rail as the most likely cause. I do know that there are top-side leaks, as I found water in the previously dry bilge after a rain. There was also water in the forward storage compartment under the V-berth. I am virtually certain that some of this has come from where the mast is attached, as I witnessed water dripping inside underneath it during a rain. My guess is that it traveled between the inner liner and the deck, forward, then came out at the end of the liner over the compartment. Some of the water then ran into the compartment, the rest into the bilge. I plan to try the 'tape it up and blow in air' technique soon to find the exact entry points. I have the boat inside for the winter for these repairs, which will make them somewhat easier to effect. If anyone has wisdom to offer concerning likely topside leaks on an '81 H22 (and for that matter, any other good advice for a first time sailboat owner), I'm all ears...
Hunter 22 owner
If you would like to e-mail me direct and trade phone numbers I can offer you what I have found in the way of leaks on my 1982 Hunter. I bought the boat new and still love it. It is truly a great boat and the leaks are just a few small issues do to age. jrdesign@yahoo.com
If you would like to e-mail me direct and trade phone numbers I can offer you what I have found in the way of leaks on my 1982 Hunter. I bought the boat new and still love it. It is truly a great boat and the leaks are just a few small issues do to age. jrdesign@yahoo.com
- Status