[Public-List] Cockpit Coaming

[Wes Gardner via Public-List]

Hi All,

This has probably been discussed before...I removed my coamings (and winch
pedestals) yesterday and am considered sailing next year "commando style"
without them.  I'll see what my wife thinks. We sail mainly in "daysail
mode" so there's no chance of green water rolling into the cockpit.  I am
of the "lean against the lifelines" school of steering to leeward.  The
boat DOES feel quite different without them.  Feels kinda nice, actually.
That's another discussion....

What I DID find is that mine were installed completely "dry" meaning there
was no bedding of anything anywhere.  Maybe this was intentional as the
space between the wood and the glass is a great place for trapping crud.
What have others done in this area?  I thought about intentionally spacing
the wood away with a flat washer and cutting some weeps in along the
bottom?

Anyone know of a good source for teak?  I have a bandsaw, sabre saw and
router so I can shape and machine, I'll need to get the pieces joined as I
don't have access to a jointer.  (I truly miss the one in the boatyard that
had like an eight foot bed, but those days are gone...)

Wes