Glassing over hull/deck joint

[Barquito]

Is glassing over the hull to deck joint an effective way to prevent leaks, and strengthen the boat? If it is, then why are boat not made that way in the first place? I'm looking at a bazillion bolts to rebed this winter under the toe rail. Maybe glassing over them all would be more perminant solution.

[LandLocked66c]

Subscribing...

[mikel1]

I believe some of the Ericsons (if not all) do have the hull deck joint glassed in....it was just a cost thing...Ericsons were very well built...out of business now. I have an E27.

[deniseO30]

Needs to flex, expand, contract, Very little leakage in general.

[WDS123]

what boat ?


answer depends a great deal on which boat

[mitiempo]

I think a Bristol 27 - at least that is the boat in his profile.

[mitiempo]

I think a Bristol 27 - at least that is the boat in his profile.

It has been done, probably most notably when Hal Roth took his Spencer 35 back to Vancouver and had Spencer do this, among other jobs. It's a big job because you have to fair the glass into the topsides and deck so it doesn't look odd.

[imagine2frolic]

I believe it was the Roth's that glassed in Whisper when the leaks couldn't be stopped........i2f

[olson34]

Originally Posted by Barquito

Is glassing over the hull to deck joint an effective way to prevent leaks, and strengthen the boat? If it is, then why are boat not made that way in the first place? I'm looking at a bazillion bolts to rebed this winter under the toe rail. Maybe glassing over them all would be more perminant solution.

Ericson Yachts did that on most of their boats. It's very strong and leak proof, but does add another bunch of labor cost to the build. Their boats have a band of heavy roving on the inside, joining the deck and hull. Quite a few limited-production and custom boats are built that way.

Strictly "IMHO" but the next best method is to have the hull top end in an inside flange, with the deck attached by thru-bolts and nuts. Our boat is built that way, with the slotted alum. toe rail on top. This later system also required a take-apart mold - again, a bit more labor. My previous Niagara was build that way, too. No leaks, no problems.

LB

[casey1999]

AMEL construction method:

I. CONSTRUCTION:
 Hull: Extremely strong and solid one piece fibreglass laminate for the hull, keel and skeg.

My S&S34 is glassed on the inside along the hull/deck joint. I have heard another owner with this type boat had leaks and had the joint glassed on the outside- all leaks stopped.

If you can find a way to make it look good, I think it is a good option. The glass also would strengthen the joint and reduce flexing which causes leaks.

I think Swan may have glassed the joint also.