[Public-List] foredeck compression, (and bedding deck hardware)

[Roger L. Kingsland]

Thanks Kirk (and Gord),

What technique did you use to "bore the core"?  Did you keep the bolt hole
sizes at top and bottom layers of the FG deck and just expand the core; if
so how did you get in there?

Best,

Roger

-----Original Message-----
From: public-list-bounces at lists.alberg30.org
[mailto:public-list-bounces at lists.alberg30.org] On Behalf Of Kirk Little
Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2011 2:16 AM
To: public-list at lists.alberg30.org
Subject: Re: [Public-List] foredeck compression, (and bedding deck hardware)


I spent more time than I care to admit removing nearly every single piece of
deck hardware, boring out about 1/4 inch of the core around every hole,
filling with west epoxy, then re-drilling and re-bedding each piece, most
with substantial (1/4" aluminum) backing plates.  Forgetting about deck
compression / strength, if the hardware can move at all then the deck
sealant is going to leak sooner rather than later.  Then you have water in
your core and probably inside the boat as well, nasty little problems.
Re-bedding through epoxy-reinforced holes will not only protect the deck
core from the inevitable leak, but I strongly feel it will drastically
increase the amount of time before it even starts leaking as the hardware is
now bolted to something stronger and more stiff.  This improvement also
allows you to seal not only on the deck side but on the underside as well to
improve and prolong the seal.  Of course if you are bedding straight through
the core (without epoxy filled 
 holes) then you wouldn't want to seal the inside of the boat as this would
prolong and hide any evidence of the water seeping into the core.  Nearly
three years and 15,000nm at sea, none of my re-bedded hardware has leaked
not even the windows where I implemented a similar improvement, not even
after beating into the trade winds for several days with the deck constantly
awash (however every other leak became painfully apparent).  Boring out core
and filling with fiberglass is a bit of a pain but it is a once in the life
of the boat job that might allow you to rebed and seal the deck hardware a
lot less often in the future plus protecting your core.  Having said all
that, I don't think I would recommend it unless you were heading offshore or
plan to keep the boat 5+ years.  Just my two cents.  

-Kirk Little, Salsa #504 www.SailingSalsa.com (currently in Thailand and
heading for South Africa this year)



 		 	   		  
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