Soft deck temporary fix advice needed

seafrontiersman · #1 (**permalink**) 03-21-2010

I have an area of my foc'sle deck which is soft, its the usual wood under glass deck construction.

My idea is to inject "git rot" starting about 6" into good wood and work my way into the rotted area. The wood underneath is pretty dry but without cutting up the deck (which I don't want to do for a year or so) I can't be completely sure. The directions say that the product is for dry wood but I think I've heard that it can be used on damp wood but that it takes longer to dry.

Is this a good idea?

Does anyone have a better way to firm that deck up for a year to 18 months until I put her in the yard and do a proper job of it?

Thanks in advance!

bljones · #2 (**permalink**) 03-21-2010

Git rot is a waste of time with wet wood. it is not a moisture displacment product, which means it won't "creep" in wetwood, which is why it is of little value with wet rot. Look, if you have the core and rebonding materials on hand, it isn't a huge job to recore the deck, effort or timewise. Cut the skin, scoop out the crap core, recore, rebond, refasten, done. If you plan to do it anyway, you might as well do it now.

sailingdog · #3 (**permalink**) 03-21-2010

Listen to BLJones. GitRot or any other epoxy is pretty much worthless unless the wood is DRY. Injecting thickened epoxy really doesn't do much and makes the proper repair a lot more difficult later on.

IMHO, you really need to re-core the deck. As BLJ said, if you have the materials on hand, it is a relatively quick project. Also, the sooner you replace it, the less of it you will need to replace. Make sure you fix whatever leak caused the core to get wet in the first place too.

mitiempo · #4 (**permalink**) 03-21-2010

I agree with bljones and sailingdog. And if the deck is soft I'd bet it is wetter than you think.

tommays · #5 (**permalink**) 03-21-2010

I don't want to kill your boat high BUT

seafrontiersman · #6 (**permalink**) 03-23-2010

I've finally got a little time in port to get on line and do a a few hours research and re-coring the foc'sle isin't as bad a job as I thought it was so I'll take your advice and get to work as soon as I get home!

Many thanks to all!

saildork · #7 (**permalink**) 03-23-2010

Frontiersman, keep us posted on your progress. Include pix if you can. I'm sure there are many here on SN who could benefit from the experience you are about to have.

Good luck!

eherlihy · #8 (**permalink**) 03-23-2010

and if you are looking for inspiration, or instruction, you may find some here. Part 2 is here. And, if you want to go crazy creating OEM looking non-skid, you can find out how to do that here.

Please keep us posted on your progress!!!