Soft area on Deck. Deck repair not replace?

Roland Rodriguez · #1 09-07-2003, 09:00 PM

Gang, a little direction would be appreciated. I have an isolated area of my 20MA that is soft. Dont really see a need for a complete deck rebuild. I am also having problems with the screws arround the consol coming loose. Obviously the deck core is saturated. I'm sure this is not a unique issue. I'v heard of injecting resin, cutting away the top skin and repairing, or cutting away the entire deck which I dont think is necessary since my problem is isolated to 1 square foot section of deck and arround the console. any thoughts would be appreciated.

FELLOW-SHIP · #2 09-08-2003, 09:46 AM

In the West System booklets they show and describe a method of drilling ¼” holes in the deck and then using a syringe and injecting a mixture of epoxy and filler into the holes. For small spots like you are talking about I would go that way, as for the console screws you could probably do the same thing since the screw holes are there just inject the epoxy/filler and then re drill the holes with a smaller drill bit. This could keep you for a few years. Sooner or later you are going to have to deal with where the water is coming in and deal with the it. Another method would be is to cut the top layer of glass off the soft area and remove the decayed balsa the replace with plywood then replace the top layer of deck. That method is also in the West System booklets.
FellowShip [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

Roland Rodriguez · #3 09-09-2003, 09:11 PM

Thanks for the direction fellowship. If your ever down in keys or homestead area let me know so we can meet out on the reef.

Capt Chuck · #4 09-09-2003, 09:25 PM

Roland
I had a small section also in my deck. I drilled the holes as per west system instructions, but I discovered it was not rot or a wet spot as when I drilled the holes, the balsa core was dry and clean (not dark and wet) The problem was that the top layer of glass had delaminated from the wood. Another hint was the soft spot had not increased in size for over 5 years. I drilled several holes around the circumference of the soft area and injected non-moisture absorbing structural foam.The problem is solved! The West System for the console holes is a good idea, use "4200" vs "5200" when putting in the screws and they can be removed easier later.Good luck.
Capt Chuck (shellback)

If she asks "how much did that cost" LIE!

alarie · #5 09-11-2003, 01:08 AM

These are all good thoughts wrt your problem. The real answer cannot be had until you know if the core is wet or not. You can easliy tell by looking at what comes out on your drill bit when you drill some exploration holes.

If it is dry balsa underneath, the injection method is great for both the larger area and the screw holes. If it is wet, then you have to get it dry before you can do anything. This is where people get into removing the top skin or a whole area. Chances are that if your console screws are loose, water is getting into the holes. You can try removing all of the screws, overdrilling the holes to 1/2" of so, and letting the area dry out for a few sunny days, then filling the holes with thickened epoxy. I then like to put the screws in with thickened epoxy so they will not come out. I hate dealing with sealants as they are so messy and at some point in the future they fail and you have the same problem all over again. If you wax or McLube (dry lube available at West Marine) your screws before you put them into the epoxy, you will be able to break them out later.

For the bigger area, if it is wet, you will have a hard time getting it dry to perform the injection process. By the time you deal with enough holes to get it done, you will be way behind just cutting out the top skin, dry or replace the core, and bond on the skin again.

Good luck,
Peter

Daniel · #6 09-12-2003, 01:23 AM

Roland--

Just out of curiosity, is the soft spots around either side of the console? I have the same problem. It comes from people standing on either side of the console and bouncing in the waves. Also, I think the screw holes along the console have a lot to do with it also. Thsi little conversation has helped me tremendousley, thnks.

Roland Rodriguez · #7 09-13-2003, 08:17 AM

Hey Capt. Disaster, "I like that"
.
As a matter of fact the soft spot is at the front starboard area of the console. Your right on the money.
I fixed the problem with the teams suggestions. I had both a wet core and the skin was delaminated. Injected resin and she is as good as new. Did the same to the console screws and they'r holding tight. This definetly prolonged my plans of a complete deck replacement.
Thanks team