Progress slow but sure
Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2023 3:31 pm
Hi all, just thought I would give a bit of an quick update on the refurb of
" Sail - La - Vie"
Months have passed, and in that time I have removed every conceivable fitting from the topsides and cabin, effected many gel coat cracks repairs, especially around the bottom curves to the cockpit sole and fibreglass repairs to where the cockpit drain meet the cockpit floor. These had previously leaked Like a cive because someone in their infinite wisdom tried to repair them with silastic. Anyway, another thing I have done is where the staunchans and other fittings mount to the deck where some or all of the fittings were mounted on the non skid sectiona, I shaped appropriate areas around them and ground the non slid back to smooth so there can now no longer be a chance of water congregating around the base of those fittings and can run off easily. More photos of that later on. Then I applied two coats of Norglass Shipshape 2 pack primer with roller, sanding between coats with 320 grit wet and dry and then final sanding with 400 grit ready for the Northane paint. (I have no shares or interest in these products but I must say the finish is really something else) ,be it spray, roller or roll and tip application.
The finish is astounding.
Also, a lot of gel cracking was in areas where high load was applied to deck fittings such as cleats and pushpit mounts so I will be replacing the 1/4 inch washers that were backing those bolts with large purpose made stainless plates to mount on the underside to spread the load more evenly.
Next jobs to do is to finish off the non skid areas fit new windows and start the complete refit. Still a way to go, but much closer now than at any time in the past.
" Sail - La - Vie"
Months have passed, and in that time I have removed every conceivable fitting from the topsides and cabin, effected many gel coat cracks repairs, especially around the bottom curves to the cockpit sole and fibreglass repairs to where the cockpit drain meet the cockpit floor. These had previously leaked Like a cive because someone in their infinite wisdom tried to repair them with silastic. Anyway, another thing I have done is where the staunchans and other fittings mount to the deck where some or all of the fittings were mounted on the non skid sectiona, I shaped appropriate areas around them and ground the non slid back to smooth so there can now no longer be a chance of water congregating around the base of those fittings and can run off easily. More photos of that later on. Then I applied two coats of Norglass Shipshape 2 pack primer with roller, sanding between coats with 320 grit wet and dry and then final sanding with 400 grit ready for the Northane paint. (I have no shares or interest in these products but I must say the finish is really something else) ,be it spray, roller or roll and tip application.
The finish is astounding.
Also, a lot of gel cracking was in areas where high load was applied to deck fittings such as cleats and pushpit mounts so I will be replacing the 1/4 inch washers that were backing those bolts with large purpose made stainless plates to mount on the underside to spread the load more evenly.
Next jobs to do is to finish off the non skid areas fit new windows and start the complete refit. Still a way to go, but much closer now than at any time in the past.
Absolutely not as elegant as your solution but considerably better than washers and spread the load. I do have a considerable marine ply backing plate under my mooring bollard though.