Widgeon Floor Repair

Apr 10, 2020
3
O'day widgeon NH
Hello all!

I am wondering if it's possible or worth it to repair a Widgeon cockpit floor. I've attached a picture! Any advice would be appreciated!

Thank you!

thelouise
 

Attachments

Feb 21, 2013
4,638
Hunter 46 Point Richmond, CA
I would expect you can reglass it or at the very least fill in the cracks as a temporary repair. Would not want water intrusion to the underside and would want it looking as new as possible.
 
  • Like
Likes: thelouise
Jun 25, 2004
1,109
Corsair F24 Mk1 003 San Francisco Bay, CA
It’s repairable, but not a good project for someone without a lot of experience. It’s a big job, with lots of details that could go wrong if you’ve never worked with resins, glass, and core.

It’s very doable for someone with experience in those kinds of repairs. I have done repairs repairing cracked, broken laminate and replacing core so I have some idea of what’s involved. I’m not a pro but I have 25 years experience doing fiberglass work.

I’m not familiar with the construction of that particular boat’s cockpit, but virtually all boats have core on the cockpit floor. That core is almost certainly rotted or degraded due to water ingress and need to be removed and replaced.

To accomplish a repair like this, you would need to cut out the top layer of laminate of the cockpit floor, remove damaged core. Prep. Install new core. Lay up new top laminate. Fair. Refinish with a top coat and non skid

IMO, You would need to have experience to do it sucessfully. There are lots of little details that could go wrong along the way, making it necessary to rip it out and start again. Unless you know what you’re getting into, I would NOT recommend that you take this project on.

As for the answer to the question if it’s worth doing the repair... that depends on the condition of the rest of the boat . If it needs a lot of work or parts, it’s probably not worth it, even if it’s free. There are plenty of boats out there with good trailers that are in good working condition.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes: thelouise
Apr 10, 2020
3
O'day widgeon NH
I would expect you can reglass it or at the very least fill in the cracks as a temporary repair. Would not want water intrusion to the underside and would want it looking as new as possible.
I will have to look into reglassing. Thank you for responding!
 
Apr 10, 2020
3
O'day widgeon NH
I’m not familiar with the construction of that particular boat’s cockpit, but virtually all boats have core on the cockpit floor. That core is almost certainly rotted or degraded due to water ingress and need to be removed and replaced.

To accomplish a repair like this, you would need to cut out the top layer of laminate of the cockpit floor, remove damaged core. Prep. Install new core. Lay up new top laminate. Fair. Refinish with a top coat and non skid
Yeah. What you said above is what concerns me! I don't have a lot of experience or time. Indeed, not sure what I'll find underneath and what needs to be repaired. I will have to look to selling or donating.

Thanks for your help and response!
 

cjm1

.
Jul 10, 2013
41
custom Herreshoff 33 sloop Lake Charlevoix
Yeah. What you said above is what concerns me! I don't have a lot of experience or time. Indeed, not sure what I'll find underneath and what needs to be repaired. I will have to look to selling or donating.

Thanks for your help and response!
 

cjm1

.
Jul 10, 2013
41
custom Herreshoff 33 sloop Lake Charlevoix
I repaired the widgeon floor with same problem. I sanded the gelcoat well to allow it to bond with the epoxy resin. 1st laid down epoxy resin unthickened, 2nd laid 24 oz roven FG fabric in somewhat thickened epoxy resin and 3 rd 2 layers of 6 oz FG cloth. You need to be prepared and do this before epoxy starts to cure. Then after cure sand and paint.