[Public-List] Cockpit Coaming
Jeffrey
fongemie at gmail.com
Sat Sep 28 15:41:48 PDT 2013
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>
>>>>>>> Please support them.
>>>>>>> ______________________________**_________________
>>>>>>> Public-List mailing list
>>>>>>> Public-List at lists.alberg30.org
>>>>>>> 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.
>>>>>> ______________________________**_________________
>>>>>> Public-List mailing list
>>>>>> Public-List at lists.alberg30.org
>>>>>> http://lists.alberg30.org/**listinfo.cgi/public-list-**alberg30.org<http://lists.alberg30.org/listinfo.cgi/public-list-alberg30.org>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> ______________
>>>>>
>>>>> 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.
>>>>> ______________________________**_________________
>>>>> Public-List mailing list
>>>>> Public-List at lists.alberg30.org
>>>>> 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.
>>>> ______________________________**_________________
>>>> Public-List mailing list
>>>> Public-List at lists.alberg30.org
>>>> 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.
>>> ______________________________**_________________
>>> Public-List mailing list
>>> Public-List at lists.alberg30.org
>>> http://lists.alberg30.org/**listinfo.cgi/public-list-**alberg30.org<http://lists.alberg30.org/listinfo.cgi/public-list-alberg30.org>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> 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.
>> ______________________________**_________________
>> Public-List mailing list
>> Public-List at lists.alberg30.org
>> http://lists.alberg30.org/**listinfo.cgi/public-list-**alberg30.org<http://lists.alberg30.org/listinfo.cgi/public-list-alberg30.org>
>>
>>
> --
> ------------------------------**------------------------------**
> ----------
> 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>
> Please support them.
> ______________________________**_________________
> Public-List mailing list
> Public-List at lists.alberg30.org
> http://lists.alberg30.org/**listinfo.cgi/public-list-**alberg30.org<http://lists.alberg30.org/listinfo.cgi/public-list-alberg30.org>
>
--
______________
Jeffrey Fongemie
<http://instagram.com/jfongemie>
1380408108.0
More information about the Public-List
mailing list