1976 Seacraft 23 IB - Rear Deck/Hatch Core Replacement

[John3325]

Beginning a series of multiple items on the to-do list this year for the SeaCraft. First on the list, I had to get the rear deck out to investigate what's underneath. Tanks look good, exhaust hose should be redone I think. Anyways, removing the deck lead to the first thing to get done, the rear deck core. I wasn't planning on doing it this year since the top seems solid, but since it is out and I have a free table, so here we go.

I cut a seem essentially around the core and dug all the crap out. It was all mushy crap, the wood was fully saturated and must have been for a long time. I am amazed that the top skin was still rock solid. I got all the crap out so far, and for the most part the "first layer" which appears to be 1/4 ply or matting is still solid except for a few areas.

My game plan, is to counter sink a bunch of holes about a 1/2'' apart in the small soft areas that I now have exposed. Once that is done, I will replace the core with marine grade ply or maybe nida core?

Whatever the material is, I will layer resin, layer the core and put that in place. Then I will resin the core and cover with some commercial grade fiberglass mat I have.

Last, feather in the new core to the seem I cut. Sand her down, paint it up, and call it a day.

Any thoughts on the game plan? I have only done one of these before but I'd really like to get some insight from the forum before I dive into the repair.