wet deck core

[fred winter]

need advice, starboard deck area from waste pumpout to last shroud attachment point shows moisture in core, also brown stain leaks in cabin etc. epoxy sealing and rebedding will stop the leaks, however, should i open up the skin and tear out the wet wood. i would remove the inside skin to avoid visual damage to the deck nonskid. seems plausible, anyone with any experiences in kind? this is a new boat for us and its in great shape except this flaw. the boat is a 1984 c27. any responses will be appreciated thanks, fred and carol winter

 

[LaDonna Bubak - Catalina Owners]

Ugh!

The only permanent fix is the one you're talking about. Personally, I'd rather gouge my own eyes out with toothpicks but sometimes we gotta do what we gotta do! Good luck!LaDonna

 

[Elmer Lotshaw]

Replacing wet core

I've had no experience with a C27 but did replace some balsa core in an Able 20. I carefully cut & removed overhead liner from wet area and put in new balsa with West epoxy and finished with fiberglass cloth -- it worked & didn't look bad. Look at Don Casey, "Sailboat Hull & Deck repair" for ideas. Good luck.

 

[C Robb Worthington]

don't cut out the deck if you can help it!

check the link.It should work if the area that is saturated isn't too large. For large areas. A fellow I know here in Bermuda uses a corkscrew type tool to dig out all the wet core, vacuums it dry, then injects the epoxy. I've been checking it out because I've got to do it myself in a few spots.