Leaking Stantions

[Flfishindude]

OK.. 1 more question... after I finish the engine project I want to fix a couple of leaks that appear to be coming from around the stantions. Don't think our 31 is the only one with leaks. How have others corrected this problem. Thanks to all for your help.

[ottos]

dude,

There are many threads here that discuss that. Do a search looking for the terms "rebedding" and "butyl tape".

Look especially for MaineSail's writeups, and check his web site - Compass Marine

Good luck!

[Flfishindude]

Thanks for the info... that was a great instruction on how to rebed the stantions. I was at the boat today, sizing up the job and don't see any evidence of backing plates and I can only reach the outer two nuts without cutting away the glass to reach the inner two. Does anyone have any experience doing the stantions on a 31?? Also the stantion over the shelves in the galley look almost impossible to get to without taking everything apart. Any info would be really appreciated.

[Flfishindude]

I have been working in the stanchion project and will pass on what I have learned ( some the hard way ). The inside stanchion bolts can not be reached with a wrench to take the nuts off. I cut the Fiberglas away with a dremel tool and after that job was straight forward...... but once stations had been rebedded, I learned about 98% of leaking was coming from sail track. It appears to me that when the boat was originally built they used a standard size bolt and then cut them off. Some with only an 1/8th or so difference. Some with the ends burred from cutting. When I reassembled the 2nd time, I used 2 size bolts... 1.5 & 2.5 inch bolts with new washer and nut. Make sure you put it back together before bedding bolts so you can make sure that each bolt sticks out far enough to get a washer & nut on it. Once assembled nuts will be covered by teak strip without cutting and off.

[rustyballast]

Last year I got into this mess with the O'Day 30 that I have.

Sears sells a box end ratchet wrench with a pivot that eliminates the need to cut any fiberglass. The wrench is 7/16" with the SKU 14994 42473 I think...still have sticker on wrench but it is dirty. It is still a bit tricky but I removed three stantions and sealed with 3M 4200.

I learned the hard way with the jib traveler. Mine was leaking bad. I removed, used an old allen wrench in a drill to remove as much of the old balsa at each hole as I could. I filled each hole with epoxy resin. This is where I screwed up and thought cardboard and tape would keep the dripping from the cabin. What a mistake. I also did not realize that each screw was different in length until I was reinstalling. I have no more leaks but I am touching up the inside liner from the mess that I made with the epoxy.