Re: deck destroyed

Posted by Jim E on Sep 21, 2006

Kathryne,

Here are some tips for making patches that fit accurately.

Make a template, by holding/taping some card to the underside and drawing the outline. Alternatively, If you've alredy put in the doublers, you can tape some paper over the hole and trace from above with a soft pencil, in the manner of a brass rubbing. Total accuracy is not needed at this point.

Cut the patch a little oversize, maybe 1/4" or a bit more, depending on how accurate you expect to be. Then gradually plane or sand it down to the correct size, while frequently trying it for size in the hole. Give it a slight bevel towards the underside, so that when it's nearly small enough, it will sit high in the hole, Then it will sit gradully lower as you sand off that last millimeter, until it's flush. The bevel will be hidden undeneath when it's glued in.

A rectangular shaped hole is the easiest to fit, or at least something with straight sides. I would consider a circle for the small holes though, for cosmetic reasons. You could draw round a small paint can, and be careful to keep the patch circular when sanding it down to fit.

It looks like the large hole in the pictures abuts the front bulkhead. I would reinforce this area with a great big epoxy fillet on both sides of the bulkhead, adter the patch is on.

The small ding in the hull side probably soes not need patching, just some thickened epoxy in the hole (try to press the ding flat somehow, during setting), and then cover with glass on both sides.

Also, check to see if the sheer clamp is split or broken. A split can be repaired by filling with epoxy (semi-runny mix for good penetration) and clamping. A fracture would need gluing, then glassing over for strength. Do the glassing part after the patch is on.

Good Luck.

Jim E

In Response to: Re: deck destroyed by Kathrine on Sep 20, 2006

Replies:

• Re: deck destroyed by Jim E on Sep 21, 2006