Hi Todd, yes it is good to avoid leaks that saturate balsa core. No epoxy filler in the deck that I know of. I am pretty sure Jerry M told me they put balsa core in the whole cabin top. Looking at the set up the loads from the mast are not meant to be transferred to the keel via a compression post but more spread by the cabin top to the bulkhead. This was not clear until I took apart the three boards that I would have called the compression post. It does not go to the keel nor does the floor it rests on. There is a gap (was a gap, not on mine anymore). I will have a better idea when they open up the top of the deck but it looks like the board just punctured a hole in what ever is in the core now after breaking through the ceiling. As I peel back layers it becomes more obvious what was happening. But the water intrusion has been going on before I got the boat and it was not until last summer when I was sleeping on the boat and it was raining that I noticed the tabernacle area leaking. Kept wondering what the small puddles were on the cabin floor now and then :) The Garilick mount seems to work well for me. I had to space it off the transom with a couple of spacer boards but it works fine! Glad you have yours all set! There is a lot to maintaining a boat made over 30 years ago! But they sail really nice! And supposedly they are fast. May race mine this summer if I can get it all set. I have new sails as of last season and it made a really nice difference. I know that there are camps but I love the convenience of the furling head sail. And safety of not going forward. Hope you are on the water soon! Thanks Robbin On 3/13/2014 12:05 AM, Todd Bradley wrote:
Hi Robbin - is that some epoxy filler in the deck core already in the photo? I am going to remove my tabernacle and install a mast plate organizer. I think I'll oversize the deck holes when I take it off and inject the area with epoxy to try and seal out any water getting into the balsa core there. I think I'm ok, mine cabin top feels & sounds solid. Thanks for sharing, hope all goes well.
Just finished installing a new Garilick motor mount like Sean has. I backed it up with a large stainless plate. It works great, I really like it.
Also, just finished putting my 3rd coat of West Marine clear epoxy (207 hardener) barrier coat on the rudder today.
I just ordered a new set of sails, should be ready in about four weeks.
Getting closer every day to the maiden voyage!
Todd Bradley
M-23 #86
-----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Robbin Roddewig Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2014 6:49 PM To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: M_Boats: Deck repairs
Hi Mboaters, We topped 60 degrees yesterday so I was able to get one of the marina shop guys with a moisture meter out to check my deck under the tabernacle that I have thought had issues. The meter confirms that a local area under the tabernacle is wet and some of the photos of the cabin ceiling (https://picasaweb.google.com/110938325409185510143/M23) show the result of the deck being mushy and putting loads on the end of the bulkhead/boards under the tabernacle. This also caused the cracks and depression in the cabin floor. This has been going on for some time but I can see signs it was getting worse as time went on. So the deck is due for a facelift and some solid replacement of core under the tabernacle. Not a big area. I will have the shop at the marina do this as I have too many other boat projects ongoing to tackle this one as well. I will try and take some photos of the repair for anyone interested.
Look for spring!
Robbin M-23