Interior Disaster

amayotte · Post by **amayotte** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 8:55 pm

I was wondering if anyone could tell me how to tell if fiberglass is rotten or not, without ripping it apart?

I decided to take a look at some of the interior...Keel trunk, galley, floor, and cockpit floor.
I found that most everything was for sure wet, if not even rotten, except maybe the keel trunk. That is where I need help.
I think that the trunk is fine but the wood glassed to the outside of it is rotten. How do I tell if fiberglass is bad?

Other than that, everything else is rotten and going to be rebuilt this summer.
It seems that someone screwed some slats into the cockpit floor for grip and created a lot of pin holes into the wood...which of course rotted everything.
I have come to terms with the work ahead of me and am even somewhat excited, cause now I get to redo the interior how I want it.

If anyone can help or has ideas to throw away it would make my future so much easier.

Thanks in advance,
Adam

Pictures for the curious
http://picasaweb.google.com/adam.mayotte/Renovations#

FranS · Post by **FranS** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 3:02 am

Can I ask what signs you saw thatmade you take a look in the first place?

NYCSAILOR · Post by **NYCSAILOR** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 6:43 am

UGH! lots of work... I think those "slats" are OEM...I have them too and now I think I will inspect that area, reseal them or look to remove them altogether... it never ends does it... Oh the joys of a old boat! But you certainly gave us a great look at the construction of the cabin roof

amayotte · Post by **amayotte** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 8:04 am

I discovered this when I took out the stairs. I was wanting to make a support system to allow me to remove the stairs when anchored, for more access room to the aft berth.
When I removed the stairs I noticed that everything was soft...

I'm sure you guys might be a little worried, as was I when I first found it, but all in all it is good news. Even though the wood is rotten the fiberglass seems to be extremely sound so it's just a matter of putting up fresh wood.

I found the next reason the wood is rotten. Once I pulled out the wood around the aft windows it seems that the windows don't seal and there is a 1/16 inch slot to allow water into the core.
This worries me since there are the same windows in other parts of the boat...maybe next year.

Adam

Chrysler20%26 · Post by **Chrysler20%26** » Fri May 15, 2009 12:38 am

Thank You all the Photos help me to to know what to look for on my C-26. I wish you the best, hope things go will, an please keep us posted. All us C-26 oners will be doing the same repares, suner or later.

Bhacurly · Post by **Bhacurly** » Fri May 15, 2009 7:34 am

Hee Hee!!!

I know that excited feeling also. My Catalina 27 project is kinda the same way... it sits all gutted out while my shoulder mends and we decide what WE want inside. Meanwhile we sail the C-22

Good luck, have fun, and keep the picts coming!!

Billy

amayotte · Post by **amayotte** » Sat May 16, 2009 1:39 pm

for sure I'll keep posting.
This forum is kinda my courage when it comes to tackling that beast. The least I can do is post what I wreck in the process.

Guillaume C. · Post by **Guillaume C.** » Sun May 17, 2009 3:57 pm

Hmm, I replaced exactly that 2 years ago and it's not very fun job to do... so much work and when it's over nobody see what youve done!

I have removed all the lead in order to remove the plywood around the keel box and replace it, but given that the wood is next to the leed wich is next to the hull, I now believe it was not worth the effort. Even if it is rotten it wont be able to move much. Then just put some more glass at the junction of the floor/upper keel box to compensate for the weak lower part of it.

As for the top of the keel box, if it is rotten you may be better to replace the plywood as this wood is structural. Maybe just letting it dry and glass over would be fine too, using the plywood as a core material. (like foam and glass construction)

As for the floor, this one is not structural (the lead under it offer a lot of support for the hull), so maybe you could drill a serie of small hole in it to allow the plywood to dry, then put some epoxy to harden the plywood around the holes and on the top surface, then a thin layer of fiberglass for protection.

Please ask any more question you have, Ill be glad to help reduce the time spend in this damn place so you can make nicer thing elsewhere!

Guillaume C. · Post by **Guillaume C.** » Sun May 17, 2009 4:02 pm

Oops, I had not looked at the photo when writing the post. I see that you have removed a lot, please start rebuilding now, it is probably not worth diging much lower! (btw IF you have to go lower, use impact hammer to shatter the lead&resin, then an aspirator to put them aside)

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Interior Disaster

Interior Disaster

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