I have a CD27 with a fiberglass cabin sole.The previous owner left me a small fracture about the size of a quarter just below the companion way stairs.I noticed a soft spot developing in this area,so I bought a small can of Marine-Tex and cut a 2" square hole thru the top layer of fiberglass and removed the damaged area.When I removed the damaged 2" square the balsa core was much wetter than I had hoped,after closer inspection,pressing down hard with my thumb,I can find soft spots or get minor deflection in an area about 3" by 12".
This is a high traffic area,directly below the companion way stairs.The area runs paralel with the removeable bilge access board.I have several ideas, but am seeking the advise of others.Is "Marine-Tex" still a suitable product to use for this repair or would it be best to go back with a core material and fiberglass?
I left the boat with a fan blowing on the cut-out to re-think my options.Thanks in advance for any advice you may have.
Smooth Sailing.
Jerry Albright
CD27 "DOLPHIN"
nauticalw@aol.com
HELP: fiberglass repair to cabin sole
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Rick
Re: HELP: fiberglass repair to cabin sole
Jerry, I dont think that product is good for that use.
you need to dry that area out well before you do anything and I dont know where you live just putting a fan on it will not dry it enough
you need to get heat under it to dry it out you also have to drill small holes in the area and check for wetness that will also allow the dampness to evaporate you should also pour alcohol into hole it
it will help the process. The problem is you dont know if you have dry rot and how much it has affected the strength of sole you could inject epoxy into the holes worst case is to remove fibre glass replace rotted balsa core and re fiberglass with epoxy. It has been my experience that CD did very poor layups with their fiber glass epecially at sharp corners and left alot of voids which later on crack and allow water to enter. Rick R&R CD30
Loretarick@aol.com
you need to dry that area out well before you do anything and I dont know where you live just putting a fan on it will not dry it enough
you need to get heat under it to dry it out you also have to drill small holes in the area and check for wetness that will also allow the dampness to evaporate you should also pour alcohol into hole it
it will help the process. The problem is you dont know if you have dry rot and how much it has affected the strength of sole you could inject epoxy into the holes worst case is to remove fibre glass replace rotted balsa core and re fiberglass with epoxy. It has been my experience that CD did very poor layups with their fiber glass epecially at sharp corners and left alot of voids which later on crack and allow water to enter. Rick R&R CD30
Loretarick@aol.com
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Larry DeMers
Re: HELP: fiberglass repair to cabin sole
Jerry,
Before taking the fiberglass off and getting really knee deep in this thing, maybe try this idea. Drill 3/8 in. holes out from the the center of the damage, and continue going out until the balsa that the drill picks up is dry. Go around in a circle with the drill bit, about every 3 in. Continue all around the damaged area until the entir outer ring of holes is into dry balsa.
Take the drill gun, and chuck in a piece of coat hanger that has been bent into a letter L..with the long side up. Insert the wire into one of the holes and see if the drill will rotate the wire. If not, cut the tip of the wire off a little and try again until the bit goes around the circle centered on the drilled hole. Then make another wire tool with a bit longer section to be inserted into that hole. Eventually, after doing all of the holes this way, there will be little of the rotted balsa remaining in solid form. Now take a shop vac and suck up as much debris as you can. Then go at it with an exacto knife and clear the area as well as you can.
NOw comes time for patience. Put a fan with heat on low against the upper half of the holed area and blow downwards and out the lower holes. Several days later, pour in some denatured alcohol at the top of the area to be dried out, allow it to run down to the bottom holes.
Apply the fan again. When dry..then start repairs.
Add fairly runny epoxy from the bottom upwards, using a syringe, or from the top down, after having covered all but a fraction of the bottom holes with tape to prevent the epoxy breaking out. Allow to settle out, then top it off with more epoxy.
Lastly,sand and prepare the surface for gel coat replacement (where I am at on my boat now).
Good Luck,
Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30
demers@sgi.com
Before taking the fiberglass off and getting really knee deep in this thing, maybe try this idea. Drill 3/8 in. holes out from the the center of the damage, and continue going out until the balsa that the drill picks up is dry. Go around in a circle with the drill bit, about every 3 in. Continue all around the damaged area until the entir outer ring of holes is into dry balsa.
Take the drill gun, and chuck in a piece of coat hanger that has been bent into a letter L..with the long side up. Insert the wire into one of the holes and see if the drill will rotate the wire. If not, cut the tip of the wire off a little and try again until the bit goes around the circle centered on the drilled hole. Then make another wire tool with a bit longer section to be inserted into that hole. Eventually, after doing all of the holes this way, there will be little of the rotted balsa remaining in solid form. Now take a shop vac and suck up as much debris as you can. Then go at it with an exacto knife and clear the area as well as you can.
NOw comes time for patience. Put a fan with heat on low against the upper half of the holed area and blow downwards and out the lower holes. Several days later, pour in some denatured alcohol at the top of the area to be dried out, allow it to run down to the bottom holes.
Apply the fan again. When dry..then start repairs.
Add fairly runny epoxy from the bottom upwards, using a syringe, or from the top down, after having covered all but a fraction of the bottom holes with tape to prevent the epoxy breaking out. Allow to settle out, then top it off with more epoxy.
Lastly,sand and prepare the surface for gel coat replacement (where I am at on my boat now).
Good Luck,
Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30
Rick wrote: Jerry, I dont think that product is good for that use.
you need to dry that area out well before you do anything and I dont know where you live just putting a fan on it will not dry it enough
you need to get heat under it to dry it out you also have to drill small holes in the area and check for wetness that will also allow the dampness to evaporate you should also pour alcohol into hole it
it will help the process. The problem is you dont know if you have dry rot and how much it has affected the strength of sole you could inject epoxy into the holes worst case is to remove fibre glass replace rotted balsa core and re fiberglass with epoxy. It has been my experience that CD did very poor layups with their fiber glass epecially at sharp corners and left alot of voids which later on crack and allow water to enter. Rick R&R CD30
demers@sgi.com
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Rick
Re: HELP: fiberglass repair to cabin sole
I have been repairing my boats fiberglass. In small areas I have been drilling 3/16" holes.I use a wooden dowel for a stop,drill through a wooden dowel and leave just enough drill bit exposed that it will go through the fiberglass into the balsa core but not through the other side of fiberglass then apply heat from the bottom for several days to drive moisture out after I'm satified its dry I take syringe with epoxy and inject epoxy into holes until epoxy comes out of other holes ,not drilling through the second layer of fiberglass makes the operation much easier I've foundLarry DeMers wrote: Jerry,
Rick
R&R CD30:
Larry DeMers wrote:Rick wrote: Jerry, I dont think that product is good for that use.
you need to dry that area out well before you do anything and I dont know where you live just putting a fan on it will not dry it enough
you need to get heat under it to dry it out you also have to drill small holes in the area and check for wetness that will also allow the dampness to evaporate you should also pour alcohol into hole it
it will help the process. The problem is you dont know if you have dry rot and how much it has affected the strength of sole you could inject epoxy into the holes worst case is to remove fibre glass replace rotted balsa core and re fiberglass with epoxy. It has been my experience that CD did very poor layups with their fiber glass epecially at sharp corners and left alot of voids which later on crack and allow water to enter. Rick R&R CD30
Loretarick@aol.com