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Post by tedp on Dec 8, 2017 18:08:30 GMT
Water ingress from a hole in the deck is one of my pet anxieties. Last summer I found a trickle of water from a hand rail attachment on the cabin roof, during heavy rain. I sealed it double quick, from the outside only, to prevent trouble.
I suppose temperature was OK when you applied the epoxy? I found that even in cold weather it will cure all right if you start the process using a hot air gun. As soon as it bubbles, gently waft hot air over it for an hour and it will turn out all right. If not, you'll end up with putty. Guess how I learned!
Good luck working in the cold.
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Post by geitz on Dec 23, 2017 23:58:28 GMT
Water ingress from a hole in the deck is one of my pet anxieties. Last summer I found a trickle of water from a hand rail attachment on the cabin roof, during heavy rain. I sealed it double quick, from the outside only, to prevent trouble. I suppose temperature was OK when you applied the epoxy? I found that even in cold weather it will cure all right if you start the process using a hot air gun. As soon as it bubbles, gently waft hot air over it for an hour and it will turn out all right. If not, you'll end up with putty. Guess how I learned! Good luck working in the cold. To warm it up, I had a halogen worklamp rigged below, shining directly on the inner skin. That, and a 100w worklamp on the outside kept it warm until the owner of the boatyard unplugged it (they don't really like anything powered unattended). The next day it was as hard as rock. I've just taken delivery of the gelcoat. I've been in the basement all day practicing with it before I apply it on the boat. Catalyzing West System is a no-brainer, polyester is another story. Mike
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Post by geitz on Dec 24, 2017 0:06:57 GMT
I'm also refinishing the teak rails that cover the sliding companionway hatch. I've brushed on three coats of West System epoxy (with 207 clear hardener). I'll follow up with three coats of Epiphanes Clear.
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Post by andreshs1 on Dec 24, 2017 17:01:55 GMT
I just Bought a 2002 43DS. I had the choice of 3 boats for sale all same model within few years of each other, all had signs of the same issue, sinking mast step. This issue wasnt considered in the one I bought as this issue was present in all three. I had it fixed by removing the entire step (which is quite deep on a 43DS) and replacing with layeres of glassed in Coosa board. The seller paid for all the work which was observed at every stage by myself and my surveyor. The step is very strong and water proof now. The original was weak design and very poor choice of material, but it wasnt a very difficult fix. I can send the PPT of the photos if anyone interested. Dave Hi Dave I recently got a 2002 Jeanneau SO 43DS, unfortunately the surveyor missed the issue with the sinking mast Sent you a PM I am also interested to know from other owners what jobs or upgrades they would look at doing while the mast is off Cheers Andres
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Post by geitz on Dec 24, 2017 19:48:52 GMT
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Post by sailbleu on Dec 25, 2017 7:26:01 GMT
Will you finish the top with gelcoat soon ? Or is it too cold now ? I would also like to change the way the cables run through the deck , I keep having water ingress via (one of ) these glands.That has been haunting me from the beginning of our ownership . Very annoying . But that would mean pulling the radar cable through the mast and back up again . Not to speak about several antenna cables that need to be desoldered . Pain in the *ss job . But if I decide to do it anyway , I think I go for the same deck gland as shown in your link , big enough so all the cables can be bundled. Close the existing holes with epoxy , grind the deck surface around it and renew the gelcoat .
And whilst renewing this part of the deck , would it be of any value to drill some holes in area around the mast step and squeeze as much epoxy in as possible ? Could be a preemptive action against the wood degradation . Just an idea .
Regards
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Post by sailbleu on Dec 25, 2017 8:08:42 GMT
@ Dave , please do send me the pics of this repair . Will PM you and give you my email if that's ok .
@ Andres , So your mast comes down , what to add ?
-First of all check the top light , if it's a silly one they put up at the time replace it with a led unit . Tricolor unit so you're really visible at sea , and most important , a decent led anchor light. I will try dig up some pics.
- install an extra antenna for a AIS tranceiver/transmitter . Many have a small one on the stern , the higher you go, the more you see and be seen .
- put up a marine TV antenna for digital broadcast.
- And when I think of it , I would also add a Cellphone antenna too , great for internet reception , most routers have input for that .
-I've also put up a waterproof HD camera ( wide angle) that allows me to have a clear view of the horizon ( starting from 10 meter from the bow , so the camera's angle is important ) on a dedicated display inside .Handy when sailing long stretches .
- Recommendable also is to make some preparations for an inner (baby) stay just in case you decide to add a storm jib later. That means getting a mast nose (and guide line) in and through the designated mast hole near the top . I posted an essay on that in the hints & tips section .
- A proper radar reflector is also a good idea .
- Led engine light when you're at it .
- Led deck floods.
- And what about a HAM/shortwave radio antenna , I have an extra SS cable going from the mast top down to my davids just for when I make the step to long range communication .
A lot of stuff , I know , but when your mast is up again and you want one of these upgrades it will be a hazardous task to finish it off in a buson's chair .
Regards
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Post by geitz on Dec 26, 2017 18:42:24 GMT
At the moment, it's too cold to work on the gelcoat. I don't think you'll be able to squeeze anything into holes around the step because the core is solid wood. Is the area under your mast step becoming concave? Will you finish the top with gelcoat soon ? Or is it too cold now ? I would also like to change the way the cables run through the deck , I keep having water ingress via (one of ) these glands.That has been haunting me from the beginning of our ownership . Very annoying . But that would mean pulling the radar cable through the mast and back up again . Not to speak about several antenna cables that need to be desoldered . Pain in the *ss job . But if I decide to do it anyway , I think I go for the same deck gland as shown in your link , big enough so all the cables can be bundled. Close the existing holes with epoxy , grind the deck surface around it and renew the gelcoat . And whilst renewing this part of the deck , would it be of any value to drill some holes in area around the mast step and squeeze as much epoxy in as possible ? Could be a preemptive action against the wood degradation . Just an idea . Regards
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Post by sailbleu on Dec 27, 2017 6:53:12 GMT
Not that I'm aware of , the concave I mean . My rigging is still tight and I don't see any signs of depression, in- or outside. But that ongoing leak has to cause some fallout I guess . Not sure if the 40DS line/model is also affected by that poor craftsmanship , it probably is .
Regards
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Post by geitz on Dec 29, 2017 16:03:39 GMT
Not that I'm aware of , the concave I mean . My rigging is still tight and I don't see any signs of depression, in- or outside. But that ongoing leak has to cause some fallout I guess . Not sure if the 40DS line/model is also affected by that poor craftsmanship , it probably is . Regards I'm not sure that it's as much craftsmanship as it is the previous owner's addition of a masthead tv antenna. They added a deck gland like the originals and might not have bedded it properly. They certainly didn't pot the hole, thus the wood got wet and began to compress.
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Post by sailbleu on Dec 30, 2017 9:25:25 GMT
What I was referring to was the type of wood used under the mast step AND compression post . My mast step is just bolted on the deck so water can get in through these 4 holes as well . Especially when the drainage of that mast step clogs up,so there's always some water level in between the mast foot and the inside of the mast step . For that reason I drilled an extra hole/drain on the side of the step. If I would of know I would of sealed these bolt holes , including the step , properly when my mast was down for new rigging 4 years ago .
Regards
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Post by geitz on Jan 3, 2018 0:20:02 GMT
What I was referring to was the type of wood used under the mast step AND compression post . My mast step is just bolted on the deck so water can get in through these 4 holes as well . Especially when the drainage of that mast step clogs up,so there's always some water level in between the mast foot and the inside of the mast step . For that reason I drilled an extra hole/drain on the side of the step. If I would of know I would of sealed these bolt holes , including the step , properly when my mast was down for new rigging 4 years ago . Regards I wouldn't worry too much about the factory sealing on the bolts that fasten the mast step and the compression post. When I took mine off for this repair, all the bolts were well sealed with white silicone. We don't know what wood was used for the core, but it was sure difficult to remove. Good idea to drill a drain hole, especially in salt water. Mike (all projects on hold; waiting for warmer weather............d**n!)
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Post by sailbleu on Jan 5, 2018 7:54:59 GMT
Mike ,
were you hit by the ' bom cyclone 'in Milwaukee too ? Seems the east coast has taken a beating no ?
Regards
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Post by geitz on Jan 7, 2018 13:41:49 GMT
Mike , were you hit by the ' bom cyclone 'in Milwaukee too ? Seems the east coast has taken a beating no ? Regards No, we escaped all the fun but still had low temps in the -10°F's and highs in the single digits. Today it will reach a balmy 26°F, so the plan is to go to the boatyard and remove the cockpit locker "seats", bring them home and do some gelcoat repairs on them. I won't be able to gelcoat the mast step until we get weather in the upper 30's and 40's, so that project is on hold for now.
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Post by andreshs1 on Feb 21, 2018 16:26:42 GMT
@ Dave , please do send me the pics of this repair . Will PM you and give you my email if that's ok . @ Andres , So your mast comes down , what to add ? -First of all check the top light , if it's a silly one they put up at the time replace it with a led unit . Tricolor unit so you're really visible at sea , and most important , a decent led anchor light. I will try dig up some pics. - install an extra antenna for a AIS tranceiver/transmitter . Many have a small one on the stern , the higher you go, the more you see and be seen . - put up a marine TV antenna for digital broadcast. - And when I think of it , I would also add a Cellphone antenna too , great for internet reception , most routers have input for that . -I've also put up a waterproof HD camera ( wide angle) that allows me to have a clear view of the horizon ( starting from 10 meter from the bow , so the camera's angle is important ) on a dedicated display inside .Handy when sailing long stretches . - Recommendable also is to make some preparations for an inner (baby) stay just in case you decide to add a storm jib later. That means getting a mast nose (and guide line) in and through the designated mast hole near the top . I posted an essay on that in the hints & tips section . - A proper radar reflector is also a good idea . - Led engine light when you're at it . - Led deck floods. - And what about a HAM/shortwave radio antenna , I have an extra SS cable going from the mast top down to my davids just for when I make the step to long range communication . A lot of stuff , I know , but when your mast is up again and you want one of these upgrades it will be a hazardous task to finish it off in a buson's chair . Regards hi Sailblue thanks for the tips! I have already bought all the lights! do you know how many spare halyards can be fitted? currently in addition to the main and jib halyards I only have the spinnaker and a topping lift one, I would like to have at least one extra one cheers for the radar reflector, any suggestion?
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Post by geitz on May 20, 2018 12:27:27 GMT
After a long winter, I was finally able to get out and finish the mast step in early April. Now that the boat has been launched, I have some time to post the results.
I didn't take any pictures of the gelcoat process, but can explain it simply. I had earlier purchased white gelcoat and a tinting kit. After an hour of color matching (I can explain in detail if there's any interest), I cleaned the surface, once again, with acetone, then catalyzed the gelcoat and brushed it on thick. When it became tacky, I sprayed it with polyvinyl alcohol. This seals the surface so that it will harden. After a week, I wet-sanded with 400, 800, 1000, 1500 and lastly, 2000g paper, then buffed with 3m Finesse-it.
Here it is after drilling and fastening the compression post:
Here, with the step mounted. Notice, I've installed the boom vang ring upside-down.............:
And finally, mast up and swan neck installed:
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Post by MalcolmP on May 20, 2018 14:29:43 GMT
Brilliant job, you must be very pleased, impressive skills indeed. Great timing too as I was just doing some final web updates before going sailing ;-) so have now added your most recent images to the Hints and Tips article. www.jeanneau-owners.com/hintsandtips/decksteprepair.htmlLet me know of course if you want any changes. I am sure there will be interest in how you achieved such great colour matching too - could be a new H&T article Many thanks for sharing your expertise. Malcolm
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Post by geitz on May 20, 2018 15:29:02 GMT
Malcolm,
Thank you! It turned out better than expected. One thing........I've maxed out the diameter of the swan neck with all the wiring going through. If I need to add more wiring, I'll need to upgrade to the Ø50.0mm (current is Ø30.5mm).
Mike
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