Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.
Is started cutting into the boat and getting to the leak was a whole lot tougher than actually getting the patch on. I've cut away a whole lot more than necessary, but you guys know me. Its not going back stock. I've got a structural refit planned when I haul her out this winter and need that much cut out for the work. Figured I would go ahead and cut it to make sure I exposed the leak. The way the water was dripping, it looked like it was leaking much lower than it actually was.
I've started getting the patch put on. I've got a good start at 4 layers and need to do a little cleaning up around the top and then it will be time for another 10 layers or so. I'm using a heavy 10oz cloth for the patch. Just good enough to sail is the name of the game until winter.
I know it is a lot of work but doing right is worth it in the long run. Looks good so far. Keep us in the loop please.
Wes
WOW This reminds me of when I did the same thing years ago. I have a tip on putting it all back together.
I can do structural glass work, but to make it look pretty is a different thing entirely. When the structural work on my 25 was finished and I started putting back the liner. I reused the original pieces, made them sound and strong then I covered my ugly patch with ¼” teak plywood. That was over 20 years ago, and it still looks great
I finally got this fixed. Not completely pretty yet, but very structurally sound. I could have probably stopped the repair once I got it to hold water. It would have been as strong as factory, but you all know that's not me.
I used a combination of medium and heavy cloth. I added a 1/4" to both sides of the trunk down to the hull on both sides. The leading edge of the trunk was built out to a total of 3/4" before the oak was added. The top of the keeltrunk, under the oak blocking, was built up 1/2" and wrapped around down to the hull. I used large pieces of cloth for this work. Made getting the bends tough, but added to the overall structural integrity.
Getting down to the fiberglass and getting it cleaned up was the hardest part of the project. A sharp wood chisel goes a long way. A lot of grinding, sanding, bleeding, and cursing was involved.
At this point, I'm done with glass for the most part. I added oak blocking... well just because I could.
Here is the last of the structural glass. I wrapped the oak in 1/4" of glass and then started building everything back up.
I love two part foam.
I used an old bread knife and the sander to get it all cut to the shape I wanted. At this point, any glass on top of the foam is decorative. Well, maybe not the floor, but everything else is.
I added roughly a 1/4" of glass to floor areas and around 3/16" to the vertical parts. As always, getting it to look good is harder than the structural work, where function over rides form. And no, I haven't gelcoated it yet. I'm sure I will at some time in the future, but don't know when. This isn't even the ugliest part of the boat.
I'm not thrilled that I had to do the project, but given that I was forced into it, I think it turned out well. The boat definitely feels more solid now. This not a project I would ever take on unless, as in my case, the boat was slowly sinking. It made a mess out of everything. Took two solid days of cleaning to get the boat back to normal.
Teak Trim Teak Trim Never pass up a chance to use affordable teak scraps to pretty up a repair, (led lights peeking out of teak slats). You can find lots of teak on ebay. Nice job on the repair.
I agree. When I shop for a newer boat years from now, it will be a wing. I'm done with swingers. Although, this one did make it 35 years before cracking. I don't see it ever having problems again.
I agree. When I shop for a newer boat years from now, it will be a wing. I'm done with swingers. Although, this one did make it 35 years before cracking. I don't see it ever having problems again.
I'm just glad I don't have to worry about keel bolts!!! (haha, I kid)
Captain Rob & Admiral Alyson "David Buoy"-1985 C25 SK/SR #5053
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ. The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.