Bulkhead Problem

[gollywobbler]

Rainwater seems to have leaked through my starboard chainplate mounting screw holes. The mounting still appears solid but the bulkhead veneer is delaminating and the fiberglass at the base of the bulkhead, where it joins the hull, seems to be soft and separating. How serious is all of this? I am particularly concerned about the fiberglass at the base. Will it affect the integrity/strength/rigidity of the hull? Any information you can provide would be appreciated.

[hellosailor]

Hard to say how serious it is but if there is FIBERGLASS deteriorating, or the fiberglass TABBING is letting go, that's something to repair post haste. Once you stop the leak (may need just caulking, may need a little more work) you can use CPES to repair some wood, fiberglass and/or epoxy to replace the rest. Probably a day of your time and $50-100 in materials--if you stop it now and fix it. If the bulkhead shifts and the chainplate lets go, that's gonna hurt.

www.smithandcompany.org/ makes CPES

http://www.westsystem.com/ makes the west system and gougeon epoxies

Both provide excellent tech support to potential customers.

[jamescomehere]

let me think for a while.

[Freesail99]

You may want to have a look at this thread as there are also photos and a few ideas on how to fix it.

Good luck

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-m...-woodwork.html