Much recent discussion on filling gelcoat crecks in decks. I've seen Capt Tolley's in boat catalogs. It sounds easier than new gelcoat. Is this stuff any good? Does anybody with first hand experience have a recommendation?
ritcheyvs@aol.com
Capt Tolley Feedback
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Tom Coons
Re: Capt Tolley Feedback
I haven't tried Capt. Tolley's product, but have tried everything else including grinding out the balsa core and filling with epoxy resin and cloth. Nothing works that I've found but have a theory about the cause. I'm a new member so if this is redundant I'm sorry.
On a wooden boat you have massive mast partners that carry the load from the mast to the gunwhale and hull. CD tried to accomplish this with a 3/4 inch plywood bulkhead and the inherent strength of the balsa core cabin top. Obviously not adequate. When the mast is loaded under sail it presses to leeward against the cabin top. This tweaks the deck which carries the load from the cabin top to the hull in the area of the chainplates. This buckles the deck and cracks whatever you put in there. Notice they are mainly in the area of the chainplates.
I think what we need is a hat shaped piece of metal that runs from the chainplates port and starboard. This would carry the load to the hull without compressing the deck or cabintop. No strain - no crack.
TacCambria@thegrid.net
On a wooden boat you have massive mast partners that carry the load from the mast to the gunwhale and hull. CD tried to accomplish this with a 3/4 inch plywood bulkhead and the inherent strength of the balsa core cabin top. Obviously not adequate. When the mast is loaded under sail it presses to leeward against the cabin top. This tweaks the deck which carries the load from the cabin top to the hull in the area of the chainplates. This buckles the deck and cracks whatever you put in there. Notice they are mainly in the area of the chainplates.
I think what we need is a hat shaped piece of metal that runs from the chainplates port and starboard. This would carry the load to the hull without compressing the deck or cabintop. No strain - no crack.
Scott Ritchey wrote: Much recent discussion on filling gelcoat crecks in decks. I've seen Capt Tolley's in boat catalogs. It sounds easier than new gelcoat. Is this stuff any good? Does anybody with first hand experience have a recommendation?
TacCambria@thegrid.net
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sam
Re: Capt Tolley Feedback
Capt Tolley is a very thin liquid designed to flow into even the most narrow cracks. It then 'sets up' to seal the crack. It is not a cosmetic solution. In fact it darkens after a while in the sun. Presumably it keeps the water from getting below the gel coat by sealing the crack inside. Hope this helps.
n4uautoo@sprynet.com
n4uautoo@sprynet.com
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Joe Butler
Re: Capt Tolley Feedback
I've found Capt Tolley's to be very effective in sealing minor water leaks in the deck that are hard to find and seal. For example, it will soak into the crack between the toe rail and deck, filling voids here and there within, and stop the water from leaking into the cabin. I don't know how strong it is. Also, it doesn't fill the surface cracks; they remain visible, though they seem to be sealed.
Joe
hjbutler@tcu.edu
Joe
hjbutler@tcu.edu