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I've posted this on some other forums, but just trying to find some ideas.
I put my camera on the step ladder tonight so the perspective wouldn't change while I did this. First I just put the tape measure in the hatch showing the normal non-stepped on measurement. 19 inches from the v-berth cushion to the top edge of the hatch. Then in the second photo, I stood on one foot so all my weight was next to the hatch edge (at last check, I was about 185-ish lbs). It seems that at least at that location, there is about 1/4 inch of flex, and the flange between deck and hatch splits open. Probably where the water got into the core in the first place. Now that I measured this, maybe my problem isn't as serious as I make it seem and need to quit freaking out so much? I've read of decks that sank 3 inches! Maybe I just need to drill some holes in the deck, and do the epoxy squirting and fix it that way. As for the hatch flange, it would be nice to remove it clean it up and then reinstall it. But that might not be needed. The port side (in the photo) will lift slightly, but the starboard side of the hatch still seems pretty tight, so maybe I could just epoxy and seal it better. Hmmm....
1/4" of flex isn't all that much, but it really depends on the span of unsupported deck, the thickness of the laminate, etc. Have you checked with other Catalina owners to see if this is normal or have you done any moisture measurements, either via a moisture meter or by drilling exploratory holes to see if the core is wet???
If the flex is due to the deck being wet...what is the extent of the wet core/delamination?? Without knowing this, it is hard to say what would be the best way to fix it. If you have an area less than one square foot, you could try drilling holes and then letting the core dry out and then following up by injecting epoxy into the area. If it is larger than one square foot, I would highly recommend re-coring the deck there.
When I first noticed it, I thought it was much softer. Then I tried to measure it and noticed it was only about 1/4 inch - and that was right next to the hatch.
I have posted this message around on a few place to see what kind of response I get.
I think I should drill a few holes for a core sample and go from there. I do need to repaint the deck anyway.
You could post this on www.catalinaowners.com or you could tell us which model and I could get you a web link for it and perhaps the e-mail of the tech editor of that model.
I did post this over there also, and got some comments also. My boat is a 1971 Catalina 22, hull number 880. It's one of the old "Hall of Fame" boats since it was one of the first 1,000 made. Pretty good shape for it's age, I'm just trying to do some improvements and repairs over this next winter.
Tom
I really think that you have a little too much time on your hands. The deck is going to flex because it is fibreglass and unsupported. If you were on a 35 foot boat with a lot of reinforcement there, then you might, and I say might, want to devote a few minutes to determining if there was any wetness inside.
However - kudos for taking the time to check it out - but I'm pretty sure you can find something a little more important to deal with...
Hehe! Yeah, you are probably right. I guess I'm probably a bit paranoid when I was poking around looking for trouble. There definitely is some delamination in that part, and found that when I tracked down a leak.
based on your photos, it looks like the stanchion base on the port side may be the cause of the leak on that side. On the starboard side, it is probably one of the screws for the hatch.
I would add a backer block to shroud and use a longer bolt. Also use a fender washer if the the backer block is not metal.
based on your photos, it looks like the stanchion base on the port side may be the cause of the leak on that side. On the starboard side, it is probably one of the screws for the hatch.
I would add a backer block to shroud and use a longer bolt. Also use a fender washer if the the backer block is not metal.
Possible. I did re-seat and seal that stanchion this summer during my leak chase. That didn't fix it. Then I found the hatch was guilty. Like you say, it could easily be one of the screws. I'm going to do some work on that hatch flange and see what I can figure out.
I'll probably take all the deck hardware off too since I want to repaint the deck too.
I think you're getting good info, but FWIW, the Catalina 22 national association link is www.catalina22.org. Interestingly, there is no tech editor listed for this model in "Mainsheet," the Catalina magazine. Perhaps this is because of the large number of them that have been built.
Just a suggestion ... but you might want to put backing plates under all of those bolts that you had in the link - the washers are not enough to disperse all of the load. You don't want as much compression you are getting there.
Yep. That is on my list of things to do. It was like that when I got the boat, so it's nothing I did wrong, but I need to spread that load out some more.
Time to find that hack saw and a drill!
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