Ericson 30+ 1983 - Discovery - Port leaks, Bottom Paint

[toddster]

Parfait cups

I use "soil extraction cups" that I have drawers-full of in my lab. Actually they're some kind of food service container that I get at the wholesale grocer. They come in all sizes, but 2 oz and 5 oz are pretty handy, and they have snap-on lids. The label says "Solo" brand "soufflés". I believe they're (non-expanded) polystyrene. Foam is expanded polystyrene. Actually pretty handy things to have in the shop... For example, great for organizing screws and small parts during an engine job. Snap a lid on and label each set in sharpie.

 

[Tom Metzger]

The admiral gets Chinese take out which comes with epoxy mixing cups in various sizes. Very handy.

 

[mjsouleman]

Git Rot

GetRot

GetRot has been advanced as the solution to fixing mahogany veneer around ports.
The directions call for drilling 1/4 in holes where the wood is rotted.
I drilled about 24 holes.

Next mix Part B with Part A and shake for at least 60 seconds (1 minute)

Then inject into the 1/4 in holes.

My experience is that the mixture dribbled out of the 1/4 in holes.

I then covered the area with saran wrap and used C-clamps and wood wedges to clamp area.

Next weekend I will go back and drill more holes and inject epoxy into the holes to bond the veneer to the fiberglass backing.
Once that is cured, I will paint and finally put the ports in.

Not: While the ports are sitting on my work bench, I applied Capt Tolley's to complete the sealing process.

When I started this process I read a lot of scary stories. Taking it one step at a time, this was not hard.

MJS

 

[EMKoper]

Leak Check?

MSJ- Did you do any particular leak check on the seal around the window? I filled the contraption with water (fully) and agitated it once in a while for ~15 hours and no apparent leak ...

 

[mjsouleman]

2nd Port Removal

I did not do a leak check. but the ports are not in yet, I'll let you know by end of this weekend

 

[mjsouleman]

2nd Port Removal

It has been a few weeks since my last but here is a summary:
When I removed the first port (over the nav. station) I found extensive veneer rot. This lead me to remove a 2nd, third and fourth port, all with veneer rot.

I then applied get rot the veneer around all the ports. On re-examination, I then cut out extensive sections of badly damaged veneer.
The next step was to fill cut out sections with wood putty, sand and repeat until I had a smooth finish (3-4 times to get smooth finish).

I painted with interior/exterior satin finish white paint as suggested in earlier posts.

Most postings stop here.

I noticed the veneer was not adhering to the fiberglass and started inspecting with the core should have been by sticking a ruler between the veneer and the fiberglass.
At each port, I could slide up to 12 inches between the veneer and fiberglass. For new readers, this is not a good thing and indicates the cabin core is completely rotted.

I am currently working with a young fiberglass man (Moore Marine jarredmoore091@gmail.com) out of Mayo Maryland to cut and replace most of the cabin.
labor: 27.50 hr is an good cost
schedule: 3 weeks
estimate: $9,600

decision: because water runs down hill, let's get the cabin done this year and do the decks next. Overall project cost is expected to be 18-20,000.

As always, the hope is to share my experience in detail for others to get a complete understanding.

mjs

 

[EMKoper]

Ouch...

MJS - That is tough, good luck with the way forward, I am sure she'll look fantastic when the dust settles.

I took the blocks/clamps off this weekend having injected West 105/205 to rebond the veneer and it looks/feels fantastic. Next weekend I'll sand down, paint, ... and then following weekend re-install the portlight.

Update: Painting complete .. looks pretty good, re-installing on 23 April ... and going to pull one on the port side since I have the tools and materials in hand...

 

[Christian Williams]

MJS,

If the interior surfaces still look all right but is no longer stuck to the fiberglass, you can stick it back to the fiberglass by drilling a number of 1/8th" holes and injecting epoxy. If there is hidden rot, CPES injected first will fix that.
Personally, if hiring somebody to do it, I would ask for a list of optional alternatives to 2016 wood carpentry. Yacht carpentry is always custom, takes pros a long time to do, requires actual skill, and is rightfully expensive.

 

[mjsouleman]

2nd Port Removal

I hired Moore Marine to do the same job that olsonjohan,
see: //www.ericsonyachts.org/infoexchange/entry.php?383-Balsa-Core-Repair-Cabin-Top-and-Companionway-Part-3

is doing on his Ericson. The only difference is that he has a great working area and I don't.

 

[mjsouleman]

2nd port removal status

Unhappy, I have to report that Moore Marine sent me an email today saying that they will not be able to do the job I paid them to do.

As reported earlier, after waiting weeks for them to do work they had been paid for, I removed all cabin equipment in preparation to take down the mast.

I am left stranded in the marina on stands and have to find a reputable fiberglass shop minus my initial investment.

Signed: Not a Happy Camper (Stranded Sailor)