restoring cored decks

JeffN

JeffN

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Mar 6, 2001
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3672
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IS there a reasonable and DIY means to fill a cored deck that's taken on water? This small 22'er may have some core compromises from some spider veins around the are of a bulkhead support. Marine-Tex?
 
Depends on your definition of "reasonable" and your ability as a DIYer, especially with fiberglass work.

The short answer is - yes. However, your gonna need a whole lot more than Marine Tex.
 
I figured. And probably an astronomical thing to have done professionally...

Is there any laymen's means to determine water intrusion on a deck? I know about thermal cameras. This deck seems to have some slight 'give' to it or flex and it's on a small Formula which I would expect to be fairly stiff.
 
Sound the area with a plastic mallet. If you hear a sharp "rasp" sound it is good. If you hear the dreaded low "thud" sound, you got a problem.
 
Hmm, may have to make a bowrider out of if it's a thuddie...
 
yes- sound it out with a mallet- you can tell the sound differential of delamination pretty easy- sound a section you feel certain is solid and then the area that is not.
 
A tapping we will go. Even Formulas can go sour I imagine.
 
Tapping is great. A drill bit on the unseen side to confirm is even better.

I assume I don't need to state you should stop short of drilling through to the cosmetic side. Also assume if the core comes out dry on the bit, you will fill the hole and not leave it to leak later!

Anything can go sour once the installers get done with mounting items without properly taking care of any hole they drilled. A very common tale.
 
Just because theres a stress crack on the deck doesn't mean its compromised by water intrustion. Decks flex, especially on a cuddy cabin boat.
 
Check out CPES Epoxy rb2@gr5t www.rotdoctor.com. This stuff is the best for repairing rotted deck and hull cores.
 
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