Fiberglassing Over Hull Deck joint?

[snider]

I'm refitting a 78 Pacific Seacraft 25. The hull deck joint looked like it had leaked in the past so I took the caprail up (In a million pieces) to inspect the joint. I've been thinking of just filling the outer edge of the joint with thickened epoxy to make the whole thing level, then laying a few layers of glass cloth over the joint. When I'm done I'll just finish the joint nicely and leave it fiberglass. Then I'll take a 1x4 piece of teak and mount it to the outside of my stanchions about a 1/2 inch off the deck for drainage and a bulwork rail to stand against when heeled. This will eliminate the 100 screw holes holding the old caprail down, and hopefully all leaks. Hal Roth wrote about this in a book of his. He did it to one of his boats. Any opinons before I commit to this project?

[soulesailor]

I read that same book and have been drooling to do this to my toerail ever since. I think it is an excellent idea and his cruising tens of thousands of miles proves its seaworthiness and water tightness. Of course, all the standard quality glass work must apply, but the idea is excellent. I'm right there with you, can't wait to do it myself. Good luck.

[sailingdog]

Might want to make sure that you get the thickened epoxy well into the joint. Those 100 screw holes are for bolts that are providing a major part of the strength of the hull-deck joint. Glassing over the join will do a good job of sealing it, but if the join isn't epoxied together, the loads on it might be a problem. Ideally, you should fiberglass over the interior of the hull-deck join as well.

[snider]

Thanks, I was thinking of that (screw holes). There are also countersunk bolts about every 6 inches, I was just going to glass over them also. I could glass over the interior flange as well I guess. Thanks Brandon