A closer look at the damage
16 April 2007 | Everglades City, FL
Jeff
Here is a closer look at the most serious soft spot. The dimples in the core and protusions of the skin (to the right) are evidence of the previous owner's failed attempt to fix the core damage. The epoxy poured into the matrix of holes spread little and bonded to even less. I was worried that the previous attempt at repairing the issue would make the skin difficult to remove. My fear was unfounded, the skin lifted free with only minor work with a long, flat screw driver and a mallet.
Worthy of note is that the damage is not from the chain plates, but from a small crack in the deck near the cabin trunk. I am unsure of the history of this crack, but it is evident from the damage that water would seep in and gravity would pull the water aft and towards the toe rail.
The aft section of the deck I removed is ok. Because of the potential for leaks along the matrix of holes drilled in the previous repair attempt, I cut away the entire area. I'm yet unsure if I will recore the entire area or only the damaged site.
If anyone has comments, ideas, or questions, then please leave a comment here or e-mail us.
Back to work.