wood rot

[FancyPants]

Hey all...just took out my portlights to reseal them because of some leaking. I have found that the wood in between the fiberglass in between the windows. I have a good idea of what I'm need to do. I was just wondering if I should replace the inside wood with marine grade plywood, or something synthetic?

A quick lesson on refiberglassing the inside piece of fiberglass I'll have to cut out to replace the wood would be beneficial as well. Thanks for any help. This project has gone from one day to 2 weeks real quick.

[SailKing1]

Is the wood coring between two pieces of fiberglass or is it something else??

[camaraderie]

If that wood core is wet and rotten you need to get it ALL out as well as checking the actual deck below the ports with a plastic hammer for signs of softness and delamination. Any rotten core needs to be cleaned out. If it is a small area, you can just fill with epoxy...otherwise use end grain balsa sealed with epoxy in your situation.

[sailingdog]

Yes, you're going to have to replace the wood. If the area is greater than one square foot, you're generally better off re-coring, rather than injecting epoxy. Marine grade plywood is not the best core material, since it is heavier than polyureathane foam or end-grain balsa, and has the worst properties of both—wicks water like foam and rots like balsa.

I'd re-core the area, but leave the area at the edge, for about 1/2" to 1" around the port solid fiberglass.

[FancyPants]

Well thank you for the advise. I'll hopefully be able to get this done this week.