Cored wood bulkhead on C&C 24

[ahab211]

While pumping the bilge on my C&C 24 I noticed a couple of raised blisters on my interior cabin wall near the starboard window. I have a tarp over the cabin to the mast. Could I have moisture entering the bulkhead from either the mast or handrail and expanding as it froze in the bulkhead? Is there any way to repair or reduce damage? thanks.

[mitiempo]

If the window or handrail is leaking that should be the first fix. The cabin side damage should be obvious when the window is removed. Hopefully it has not spread too far. The fix is to remove the wet core and replace it with new dry core using epoxy resin.

[ahab211]

Thanks, I reset the windows when I bought it 4 Years ago but it may be leaking again. I was just surprised that with a new tarp over the window it would leak and if so that the blisters would be even with and forward of the window. I thought it would blister below the ledge. There was a damp water mark on the cushion below the window so it must be leaking again near the top of the window. I used a G.E. Sealant(Ultraseal) and not a butyl window gasket. That was after making the mistake of using silicone sealant and having it leak like a sieve. Sometimes it doesn't pay to take the cheaper,easy fix.

[sailingdog]

If you used a silicone-caulk/sealant, then you're going to have to sand the gelcoat to get rid of the silicone contaminants. Washing or cleaning with solvent isn't really sufficient, and anything else you use will have trouble bonding properly unless you sand the area.

Originally Posted by ahab211

Thanks, I reset the windows when I bought it 4 Years ago but it may be leaking again. I was just surprised that with a new tarp over the window it would leak and if so that the blisters would be even with and forward of the window. I thought it would blister below the ledge. There was a damp water mark on the cushion below the window so it must be leaking again near the top of the window. I used a G.E. Sealant(Ultraseal) and not a butyl window gasket. That was after making the mistake of using silicone sealant and having it leak like a sieve. Sometimes it doesn't pay to take the cheaper,easy fix.

[ahab211]

Thanks, I'll have to properly clean it up and maybe replace the window. In my defense before using the ultraglaze, I scraped, used acetone and sanded the window surface but the gelcoat was badly chipped by someone previously removing the window. I use paint and decal tape to cosmetically hide it but the fit was poor and I'm sure this added to the leaking. They actually used machine Nuts and bolts to reattach the windows without any sealant. The windows leaked badly and the cushions were ruined. I subsequently got the boat cheap and had to have the cushions reupholstered.Hopefully I'll get a good seal this time.