Wet Deck Core

[Bob Walter]

The pre-purchase survey on an '87 H31 I'm trying to buy revealed moisture/delam on the starboard side, running from the water-fill aft about 8 ft. An attempt was made to repair this before by injecting epoxy but based on the continued presence of moisture it appears not to have worked. Also, the affected area appears larger now according to the current owner. I've looked thru the archives and see this topic show up frequently but am not sure I understand one important fact about the 31's construction based on the various posts. If I can work from below I'd attempt to repair this myself so can anyone tell me about the 31's deck construction and access to it from below. I assume the deck is typical cored construction - inner and outer FG skin with a plywood core. Yes? But is there also an FG liner under the deck...perhaps a continuation of the coach top liner that turns down and then outward under the deck, ending just as it meets the inner side of the hull? If there is, it will make getting to the problem that much more difficult and access from below under the deck is already tight. I don't have access to the boat so I can't go take a look...so nay help the list can give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Bob W.

 

[Daryl]

There is fiberglass under the plywood core

Replacing the fiberglass would be difficult to do from the bottom because of that gravity thing

 

[Steve Dion]

assume you mean waste pump out....

Bob:I assume that you are speaking about the waste pump out fitting. The best way to fix this problem would be to remove a section of non-skid area. The probably needs to be done by someone that is skilled. If you cut right along the line between the smooth gelcoat and the non-skid, it should be easy to piece back in. Then you will be able to work from above and replace any of the wet decking. I would be more interested in looking for the source of the leak than worrying about the repair. My first guess is that there is a leak at the mast step. Water is running from the mast down the crossmember into the deck area. This probably would indicate that you also need the compression post and crossmembers repaired/ replaced. I would est. $4000-7000 to do all of these repairs. You will really need to get a good deal on this boat to make these types of repairs worth it.

 

[Laura Bertran]

Waste Pump Out May Be Leaking...

...at least it was on my H31. When I bought the boat, I set out to change all of the head hoses to Sealand Odorsafe. In doing this, I discovered that the hole in the deck for the waste fitting was oversize and not well caulked. This had allowed rain, etc to leak in and had wet the core in that area. I removed the pump out fitting. Allowed the core to dry and used West System to fill in the existing hole. Cut a new properly sized hole and installed a new fitting.