I am repairing gelcoat cracks on my C26 stern as well as some fiberglass cracks in the Stern floor to avoid water leaking into the aft Berth end area. I noticed there are some gaps to the sides (starboard and port). I think that water might zip in from those areas into the Aft Berth (see pictures). My question is:
Is this supposed to be this way?
I was thinking on putting some fiberglass CSM layers and seal both sides. My concern is that I really don't know if this was designed the way it is now. I might cover the area and then get stress cracks or God knows what...
I have the same gaps on mine and while I think you would have stern of the boat flooded to get water through them, I am planning to fiberglass mine in, so that I can keep the bugs from coming into the cabin.
looking at the pics I'd start to get concerned about structural integrity for reasons other than leakage. The fiberglass does more than keep water out.
if those gaps are between the berth and the motor well that is what I am currently working on. My concern is carbon monoxide leaking in from the out board.
It is hard to get to but I sanded arond the gap on both sides as best I could. Then i laid up a sheet of fiberglass on a piece pf glass. i plan to cut a rough profile from this and epoxy it in place. then I will seal it tighter around the edges with more cloth and resin.
Thanks all. From your comments. I would assume that those gaps come as they are from the factory. If that is so... I wonder what was the purpose?
I guess I will have to decide whether or not to leave them as is.
All of you have good points. If I go with sealing them, I would like to have it done having in mind what Reality said. I am more concerned about structural integrity.
So, what would be the best approach to have this areas sealed and add structural integrity? Any thoughts or experiences?
If it's not structural and not external visible try spray on truck bed liner in aerosol cans. I had a small non-structural crack in the fuel locker leaking water into the boat and used that to seal it.
Holiday wrote:if those gaps are between the berth and the motor well that is what I am currently working on. My concern is carbon monoxide leaking in from the out board.
It is hard to get to but I sanded arond the gap on both sides as best I could. Then i laid up a sheet of fiberglass on a piece pf glass. i plan to cut a rough profile from this and epoxy it in place. then I will seal it tighter around the edges with more cloth and resin.
What is pf glass? Can you provide some pictures of your work? Thanks.
Sorry for the typo. It should say piece of glass. Just a piece of window glass for a flat surface to mold a flat piece of fiberglass. Sorry I don't have pictures. Its hard to take pictures when your hands are all sticky with resin.
I will have to look at my boat this week to see if it is the same. I can't imagine much will be gained structurally. If our boats have managed 40 years without solid attachment there, I wouldn't worry about it. Fumes from the outboard does sound like a legitimate concern, in which case I would consider using some spray foam to seal it off.
Holiday wrote:Sorry for the typo. It should say piece of glass. Just a piece of window glass for a flat surface to mold a flat piece of fiberglass. Sorry I don't have pictures. Its hard to take pictures when your hands are all sticky with resin.
Ok. Got it - a piece of glass. I am planning to close them... not sure with what material. I have some marine plywood, PVC and some plexiglass. I will go with whatever can assure wont crack.
About the pictures, I totally understand... I have missed to take some pictures of my work mostly for the mess with resin...
Kenr74 wrote:I will have to look at my boat this week to see if it is the same. I can't imagine much will be gained structurally. If our boats have managed 40 years without solid attachment there, I wouldn't worry about it. Fumes from the outboard does sound like a legitimate concern, in which case I would consider using some spray foam to seal it off.
You got a point... dont really know how much will be gained structurally. Don't really know if spray foam will do the trick. This holes are big and will need backing support. Just a thought...
