[Public-List] Leaks/Tracks/rivets/et. al.

Tue Sep 6 09:34:10 PDT 2016

Bill,

I have just spent the summer ripping off the top fiberglass layer on my 
deck and replacing the soaked/rotten core on a Pearson Ariel (a Alberg 
liner boat that is sort of like the A30). (The problem of leaks is not 
unique to A30s!) I started by taking off that top layer of glass around 
places that I knew were wet, and then followed the wet/rotten core until 
I found good dry balsa. It was incredible to see how far those 
wet/rotten areas extended - sometimes as much as 3 feet or so from the 
point of water ingress. Eventually I got a moisture meter and found even 
more wet spots. The core did not sound to be wet (by tapping), but the 
meter indicated that the core was wet... Sure enough when I exposed the 
underlying core in these areas, the core really was wet. My guess is 
that in all I have replaced about 1/2 of the deck core.

When rebuilding the deck, I made a point of replacing the balsa core 
with numerous layers of fiberglass in the areas of the tracks, stanchion 
plates, around the chain plates, etc, so that when I ultimately drill 
the holes for the deck fittings, I will have a strong foundation that 
won't rot. So far it has been quite a big job, but I am nearing the end 
of the deck rebuild - now the fairing will be interesting as the extent 
of the repairs do not allow many reference surfaces from which to gauge 
the gradual smooth lines.

As mentioned by Don, as with the Whitby holes through the core, none of 
the Pearson holes were sealed either. Every one of them (yes, every one) 
had admitted some amount of water that resulted in balsa that was either 
rotten (black and so rotten that it had also shrunk), or so wet that you 
could squeeze water out of the excavated balsa core. If nothing else, 
now I have a dry cabin! :-) I was really quite surprised to find how 
extensive the damage was.

I hope this perspective helps.

Anders

  09/06/2016 08:41 AM, Don Campbell via Public-List wrote:
> Bill:
>    I suggest  you get a moisture meter on your deck and someone who 
> knows what the results mean for that machine. I suspect that your deck 
> is wet and perhaps in places you have not thought about. If the core 
> is wet, it will leak at any drilled hole because Whitby Boat Works did 
> not seal any incursion into the core. First thoughts are that the 
> chainplates still leak and you can go anywhere from there including 
> the inside rail, the stem fitting at the bow, the windows, and any 
> hardware that goes through the deck. You will find the same lack of 
> sealant on the cockpit floor around the circular fitting there too.
> Contact me off site if you have more questions.
> Don Campbell
> dk.campbellatxplornet.ca (replace the at with the symbol)
>
> -----Original Message----- From: Bill McCoy via Public-List
> Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2016 5:00 AM
> To: public-list at lists.alberg30.org
> Subject: [Public-List] Leaks/Tracks/rivets/et. al.
>
> Fellow Albergers,
>
> I've read with great interest as much as possible on this subject via 
> assorted threads dating back to 2000.  What got my attention on this 
> was our recent Hermine who tested hull #614 this past weekend.  I had 
> planned this encounter as soon as I was apprised she was coming our 
> way, Hermine that is. She provided just the product I needed, 
> persistent rain on the deck for 12 to 20 hours.
>
> During my routine refitment, I had replaced a thru hull in the stern 
> for the Stbd drains and two sea cocks as well.  No problems.  However 
> my greater concern was if my re-bedding a suspect stanchion on the 
> Port side might have been the fix for a persistent leak into the 
> cabinetry.  And, I had my eye also on a forward Port leak entering 
> near the forward chainplates (which by the way were taped over because 
> I am having mine remanufactured). I had figured some water would enter 
> but nonetheless was leary that it soaked the cushion on that side in 
> the v-berth as well. Hmpf.  What else other than the chainplate 
> opening could have precipitated leaking into the area...the cap rail, 
> the forward bow pulpit base plates?
>
> So, the analysis the morning after revealed 2/3 cup of water (in 
> plastic container) had leaked from amidships with the only clue of 
> passage being droplets of water still hanging from several of the 
> genoa track screws in that area! And since these droplets were 
> isolated to just that 1 or 2 foot area near the ice box/port salon 
> cabinet area, methinks the cap rail is fine but the genoa track 
> bedding is not fine.
>
> Questions abound:
>
> 1.  Is my cautious eye on the genoa track going down a common problem 
> road or unrealistic if it "looks" ok (not loose but screws not wrapped 
> in adhesive)?
>
> 2.  Would I be over-doing this if I were to remove the cap rail from 
> Port forward to amidships in order to re-bed cap rail and then re-put 
> genoa track?
>
> 3.  Am I remiss in my thinking that caulking with sealant between cap 
> rail and hull/liner joint is asking for water and rot underneath the 
> rail sooner or later?
>
> I revel in the possibilities of answers to this age old problem of 
> mine, I mean "ours," of course.
>
> If you are thirsty for photos, see my journey at 
> http://baggywrinkles.blogspot.com where I provide you more visual 
> fascination. Thanks in advance for your responses.
>
> Skeep
>
>
>
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