Ariel #414

[mbd]

A less than pristine cockpit and the tools used for removing the coamings...

I'm thinking I'll save the companionway hatch and windows for another season and just paint around the edges the best I can.

[mbd]

I opted to go for a "small" area and just tackle on side deck. Using a circular saw I cut a line up the starboad side deck along the toe rail, then back down along the cabin. Then I divided it into 4 good sized sections by cutting across the other way. I finished the cuts off with a dremel with a metal cutting bit which worked very nicely.

I went after the section I thought had the most problems. Not much delamination here, and it was a real pain to peel off and clean out. I spent the better part of the afternoon chiseling and hacking the not-so-bad core out of the area...

[mbd]

After clearing everything off the decks because of an afternoon thunderstorm, I thought perhaps I should try and hone in on the known bad spots. So, just forward of the section I just did, I made another cut lengthwise to try and just get the area around the chainplates.

Bingo. It was nice to see some bad core. (Did I just say that?) In any event, it was way easier to remove the material for these "sub" sections.

I'm already planning on replacing my chain plates, and looking at these soggy gaping holes in the side deck has me thinking about external chain plates again. Besides three less holes in each side deck, I think they look pretty shippy too. I'll have to hit the "search" button.

[Bill]

.... I'll have to hit the "search" button.

Take a look at post #60 at: http://www.pearsonariel.org/discussi...5&page=4&pp=15

[bill@ariel231]

Mike

it's a trade-off what holes to spend time and effort sealing up... three holes on each of the side decks or... 9 holes on each side of the hull....

I need to make the same choice next year.

bill