[Public-List] Cockpit Coaming

Brian Zinser bzinser at lssu.edu
Sun Sep 29 16:21:34 PDT 2013 

I have hull #134 and I have the quarter round. It appears to be teak.

Michael Connolly has either hull number #133 or #135 and his coaming is
slightly different than mine. I believe he has told me that his is one
piece. My coaming is two teak boards. There is a small trianglular piece
that is fit on the bottom from the cabin to about the first winch block.  I
think Whitby probably fabricated the coamings based upon what raw material
they had in the yard at the time.


On Sun, Sep 29, 2013 at 2:45 AM, Randy Whitney <moiraeiii at gmail.com> wrote:

> Jeff,
> Interesting that you have quarter round where I have none. Is the quarter
> round teak of some other wood i.e. mahogany or even plastic or metal? As to
> the horizontal splitting, I too had that and repaired it much like you
> except I used stainless rod and came up from the bottom. The split was the
> result of excessive stress of the traveler, as the coaming was the anchor
> for the traveler. I fabricated a stainless support which acts as a stop and
> attaches the trailing edge of the coaming to the deck. It has worked well
> for the past twenty years and looks not bad. Not having quarter round makes
> removing the varnish easy, so I will have to ruminate on this over the
> winter but I do see the merit of the quarter round. What size is the
> quarter round?
> Randy
>
>
>
> On Sat, Sep 28, 2013 at 6:41 PM, Jeffrey <fongemie at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > I'd like to add that when I reconditioned my combings, I went down to
> bare
> > wood, and had to glue the outboard quarter-round back to the main combing
> > with epoxy. I also added a generous layer of thickened epoxy to the
> > underside (against the deck). By not having bedding, I can easily (more
> or
> > less) remove them to refinish indoors over the winter. I too enjoy
> > varnishing indoors in the pre-season. We don't put the boat in until late
> > May, Early June so I've got plenty of time. I've not noticed any
> > sludge/crud buildup when I've removed them.
> >
> > I've got a different problem, my combings are getting thin, and a couple
> > years ago I noticed a horizontal crack that developed, and started to
> > lengthen! I bought a 8" inch long 1/4 inch drill bit and drilled three
> > holes down from the top well past the split. Squirted in some epoxy and
> > tapped in lengths of bronze rod, and put a bung on each. So far so good,
> > but I think making new combings is in my future.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Jeffrey Fongemie
> >
> > Seagrass
> > Alberg 30 #116
> > Boothbay Harbor Maine
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > On Sat, Sep 28, 2013 at 12:58 PM, George Dinwiddie
> > <gdinwiddie at alberg30.org>wrote:
> >
> > > Todd,
> > >
> > > Here's a fourth variation:
> > >
> > > I used a strip of neoprene gasket material at the top edge between the
> > > hull & outboard side of the coaming. I also caulked the deck-coaming
> > joint,
> > > because water was sitting in there.
> > >
> > > The neoprene gasket was much easier to handle than dolomite. I got it
> > with
> > > adhesive on only one side, and put that against the fiberglas. Removing
> > and
> > > replacing the coaming was much easier the next time.
> > >
> > >  - George
> > >
> > >
> > > On 9/28/13 11:59 AM, j t wittbold wrote:
> > >
> > >> Thanks Randy-
> > >>
> > >> So that is actually a third approach I guess:
> > >> 1. no bedding compound applied between hull and outboard side of
> coaming
> > >> 2. use a caulk bead at deck-coaming abutment (+ sealant at coaming
> > >> through-bolts)
> > >>
> > >> Does that approach supply enough of an airflow to keep whatever
> moisture
> > >> does get in between from rotting coaming (given 2 year maintenance
> > >> described)?
> > >> Did you have to do any restorative work to the outboard side of
> coaming?
> > >> If so, what did you do?
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> Todd Wittbold
> > >> #207
> > >> Valhöll
> > >>
> > >> On Sep 28, 2013, at 11:34 AM, Randy Whitney <moiraeiii at gmail.com>
> > wrote:
> > >>
> > >>  Todd,
> > >>> I live in Vermont and sail in Lake Champlain.
> > >>> Twenty-five years ago I removed the coamings to refinish them. I had
> a
> > >>> particularly hard and tedious time separating the coaming from the
> > glass
> > >>> because of the bedding compound (dolemite?). I used heat to soften
> the
> > >>> compound and a broad putty knife to separate the coaming. In a few
> > places
> > >>> the gelcoat actually chunked off. That year I simply bolted the
> coaming
> > >>> back into place and ran a bead of sealant on the top of the joint
> > >>> interface. Water found it's way around the bolts an into the lockers.
> > >>> Unacceptable. The following year I ran a bead of rubber sealant
> around
> > each
> > >>> bolt and also at the interface. This system seems to have worked
> since,
> > >>> although the rubber sealant is harder to find. The only issue with
> this
> > >>> method is that if the coamings are not removed at least every two
> > years or
> > >>> so the dust and dirt collects between the interfaces and if left
> > unattended
> > >>> will probably support plant life.
> > >>> I find it much easier to keep the bright work bright if it is
> removed,
> > >>> finished and reinstalled rather than sanding, striping and finishing
> > it in
> > >>> place. But that's me, others find it too much of a hassle.
> > >>> As they say around here, 'you pays your nickle and takes your
> chances'
> > >>> My experience,
> > >>> Randy  MOIRAEIII #283
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>> On Sat, Sep 28, 2013 at 10:53 AM, j t wittbold <
> johnnywittbold at mac.com
> > >
> > >>> wrote:
> > >>> Will try to summarize what I've heard re Cockpit Coaming:
> > >>>
> > >>> There are two schools of thought that hinge upon the decision to use
> a
> > >>> bedding compound:
> > >>> 1. use a bedding compound and caulking strip to seal the outboard
> side
> > >>> of the coaming to prevent water rotting the coaming
> > >>> 2. do not use a bedding compound or any outboard side caulking of the
> > >>> joint between deck and coaming, enabling free flow of air around
> > coaming
> > >>>
> > >>> In either approach, it is not advisable to caulk the cockpit side of
> > >>> coaming abutment. It can only trap moisture against the coaming.
> > >>>
> > >>> The majority of responses favored the 1st approach.
> > >>> Not sure how much of the decision is influenced by climate since both
> > >>> Jeff and Glenn have their A30s in cold, wet climates.
> > >>> Nobody seems to know how Whitby delivered the boats relative to
> sealing
> > >>> cockpit coamings.
> > >>>
> > >>> For me, either of these approaches require will require removing the
> > >>> coaming from Valhöll, which will have to wait till next season
> > probably.
> > >>>
> > >>> Two follow-on questions:
> > >>>
> > >>> 1. For those who have removed coaming and reconditioned outboard side
> > of
> > >>> coaming… what was the approach?
> > >>> 2. Would be grateful for opinions regarding the pros & cons of each
> of
> > >>> the above approach relative to ongoing periodic maintenance
> > requirements?
> > >>>
> > >>> Thanks
> > >>>
> > >>> Todd Wittbold
> > >>> #207
> > >>> Valhöll
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>> On Sep 25, 2013, at 8:27 PM, j t wittbold <johnnywittbold at mac.com>
> > >>> wrote:
> > >>>
> > >>>  Thanks for the replies gentlemen.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> To be clear, I was referring to a bead of caulking running on the
> > >>>> outboard side of cockpit that is intended to prevent water on deck
> > entering
> > >>>> in the space between coaming and hull. My concern was this might
> make
> > it
> > >>>> very hard to evaporate whatever water does get in there… either from
> > sea
> > >>>> water while sailing or just from rain, snow or washing the deck and
> > cockpit.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> When I did remove the caulk strip I found some rotten teak remnants
> > >>>> (ughhh) and it was clearly moist back there. Which is what prompted
> my
> > >>>> question. It really looks to me like there is about a full 1/8"
> > tolerance
> > >>>> between coaming and the hull which makes me wonder whether or not it
> > was
> > >>>> really intended to be sealed off? That is pretty clearly enough room
> > to
> > >>>> evacuate water so that the moisture can evaporate.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> My coamings were not embedded in any sort of bedding compound. Water
> > >>>> flowed very freely from deck down the back of the coaming and onto
> > cockpit
> > >>>> seats when I was washing off deck and cockpit. I guess I'm inclined
> to
> > >>>> agree with Jeff's philosophy about seawater entering cockpit through
> > an
> > >>>> un-caulked coaming… I'm already wet and cold :)
> > >>>>
> > >>>> So for this winter I will probably just let the outboard side of the
> > >>>> coamings air out for a while and then reapply a strip of caulk.
> > >>>> Hopefully next fall I will have the ambition to remove and do both
> > >>>> sides of coaming and possibly use a bedding compound.
> > >>>> But I am still curious about Whitby's original design and
> > understanding
> > >>>> the "right" way to preserve the longevity of these coamings.
> > >>>> I imagine it would be a very expensive and highly skilled job to
> > >>>> replace these.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> -Todd
> > >>>> Valhöll #207
> > >>>>
> > >>>>
> > >>>>
> > >>>> On Sep 25, 2013, at 5:46 PM, Jeffrey <fongemie at gmail.com> wrote:
> > >>>>
> > >>>>  I did the opposite. I didn't bed the coaming with anything.  I know
> > >>>>> someone
> > >>>>> with a Triton and he does the same (no bedding) so I gave it a try.
> > >>>>>  I've
> > >>>>> not seen a downside yet. Water rushing down the deck does not flood
> > the
> > >>>>> cockpit seats unless the weather & seas are real bad, then we're
> > >>>>> getting
> > >>>>> soaked anyway from the spray. I've taken my coamings off a couple
> of
> > >>>>> times
> > >>>>> in the winter to varnish and it makes it easy with no bedding
> > compound
> > >>>>> to
> > >>>>> deal with. The underside of the coaming does not seem any worse for
> > >>>>> wear,
> > >>>>> though I bet the ability to keep underside varnished may be
> helping.
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>> Jeffrey Fongemie
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>> Seagrass
> > >>>>> Alberg 30 #116
> > >>>>> Boothbay Harbor Maine
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>> On Wed, Sep 25, 2013 at 4:03 PM, Glenn <brooks.glenn at comcast.net>
> > >>>>> wrote:
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>>  Tod,  assume you are describing the outboard side of the coaming,
> > >>>>>> where it
> > >>>>>> T's to the deck?  (Not inside the cockpit side). Dont know about
> the
> > >>>>>> original installation but I bedded my coaming
> > >>>>>> Liberally with dolphite bedding compound when I refinished the
> > >>>>>> coamings,
> > >>>>>> and also sealed the quarter round where it butts up against the
> > >>>>>> coaming and
> > >>>>>> deck.  Personally I think its a good idea to seal it to keep water
> > >>>>>> out.
> > >>>>>> if sealed, water has a harder time getting under the finish, and
> > >>>>>> soaking
> > >>>>>> into the wood.
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> Dolce is in the most miserable,  grey, wet, disgusting winter
> > climate
> > >>>>>> in
> > >>>>>> the US - the pacific northwest rainforest where it rains
> constantly
> > >>>>>> and
> > >>>>>> stays wet for months at time.  Boat hasnt had any trouble with
> wood
> > >>>>>> rot
> > >>>>>> when the coamings are bedded well.  FYI, I do leave the  bottom of
> > the
> > >>>>>> coaming inside the cockpit open so any water that does get in  can
> > >>>>>> drain.
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> Glenn
> > >>>>>> Dolce 318
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> Sent from my iPad
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> On Sep 25, 2013, at 11:19 PM, j t wittbold <
> johnnywittbold at mac.com>
> > >>>>>> wrote:
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>  Hi-
> > >>>>>>> I am applying Cetol to cockpit coaming.
> > >>>>>>> In the process I have removed the aging caulking  that was in
> place
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>> between the coaming and deck.
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> Questions:
> > >>>>>>> 1) Is this caulking a good idea in general? Does it not make it
> > >>>>>>> harder
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>> for the moisture that does get in there to evaporate?
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> 2) Does anyone know whether or not this space between coaming and
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>> deck/hull was sealed in the original A30?
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> 3) If it is really a good idea to seal off this space, any
> > >>>>>>> recommended
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>> caulk for bonding Cetol coated coaming to deck?
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> Thanks
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> Todd
> > >>>>>>> Valhöll #207
> > >>>>>>> ______________________________**_________________
> > >>>>>>> These businesses support your Association:
> > >>>>>>> http://www.alberg30.org/store/**A30supporters.html<
> > http://www.alberg30.org/store/A30supporters.html>
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> > http://lists.alberg30.org/listinfo.cgi/public-list-alberg30.org>
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>> ______________________________**_________________
> > >>>>>> These businesses support your Association:
> > >>>>>> http://www.alberg30.org/store/**A30supporters.html<
> > http://www.alberg30.org/store/A30supporters.html>
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> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>> --
> > >>>>> ______________
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>> Jeffrey Fongemie
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>> <http://instagram.com/**jfongemie <http://instagram.com/jfongemie
> >>
> > >>>>> ______________________________**_________________
> > >>>>> These businesses support your Association:
> > >>>>> http://www.alberg30.org/store/**A30supporters.html<
> > http://www.alberg30.org/store/A30supporters.html>
> > >>>>> Please support them.
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> > >>>>>
> > >>>>
> > >>>> ______________________________**_________________
> > >>>> These businesses support your Association:
> > >>>> http://www.alberg30.org/store/**A30supporters.html<
> > http://www.alberg30.org/store/A30supporters.html>
> > >>>> Please support them.
> > >>>> ______________________________**_________________
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> > >>>> http://lists.alberg30.org/**listinfo.cgi/public-list-**alberg30.org
> <
> > http://lists.alberg30.org/listinfo.cgi/public-list-alberg30.org>
> > >>>>
> > >>>
> > >>> ______________________________**_________________
> > >>> These businesses support your Association:
> > >>> http://www.alberg30.org/store/**A30supporters.html<
> > http://www.alberg30.org/store/A30supporters.html>
> > >>> Please support them.
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> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>> --
> > >>> God, if I can’t have what I want, let me want what I have.
> > >>>
> > >>
> > >> ______________________________**_________________
> > >> These businesses support your Association:
> > >> http://www.alberg30.org/store/**A30supporters.html<
> > http://www.alberg30.org/store/A30supporters.html>
> > >> Please support them.
> > >> ______________________________**_________________
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> > >>
> > >>
> > > --
> > >  ------------------------------**------------------------------**
> > > ----------
> > >   When I remember bygone days                         George Dinwiddie
> > >   I think how evening follows morn;            gdinwiddie at alberg30.org
> > >   So many I loved were not yet dead,           http://www.Alberg30.org
> > >   So many I love were not yet born.                          also see:
> > >                'The Middle' by Ogden Nash     http://idiacomputing.com
> > >  ------------------------------**------------------------------**
> > > ----------
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ______________________________**_________________
> > > These businesses support your Association:
> > > http://www.alberg30.org/store/**A30supporters.html<
> > http://www.alberg30.org/store/A30supporters.html>
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> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > ______________
> >
> > Jeffrey Fongemie
> >
> > <http://instagram.com/jfongemie>
> > _______________________________________________
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> >
>
>
>
> --
> *God, if I can’t have what I want, let me want what I have.*
> _______________________________________________
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> Please support them.
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