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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Hull and Deck Repair Book

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andypavo
1st Mate

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USA
51 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/15/2010 : 11:23:35

I highly recomment the book "Sailboat Hull and Deck Repair" by Don Casey. I was referred to this book a few months ago here on this forum. Can't find the thread.

After spending some time with my new boat, I'm finding it has been neglected and has wet core issues in a couple of bulkheads and I was getting kinda down in the dumps. The boat only cost $2800 and this included boat, motor, and trailer and AC unit but I was thinking about selling it and making it someone elses problem. I have changed my attitude after reading this book, especially the first 2 pages which talks about the longevity of fiberglass and ease of repair.

I now have the attitude that this boat has "character" and I think I am going to enjoy doing the repairs myself and bonding with this beheamoth.

By the way....former owners of #2122 wherever you are now...you left the portapotty completely full when you sold me this boat. You are truly nasty..

Anybody know a good source for balsa? Does the cat25 have a balsa core?

Andy Ballard
1980 Hull #2122
SR/SK
"Brahma Fear"
Moultrie, GA

Edited by - on

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2010 : 11:40:36

To replace the deck or bulkhead core, you can use marine plywood. I thought Don Casey specifies that, too. I have his combo book that includes the fiberglass methods.

In addition, I found the West System 91 page pamphlet on fiberlgass boat repairs extremely useful. Here is a [url="http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.westsystem.com/ss/assets/HowTo-Publications/Fiberglass-Boat-Repair-and-Maintenance.pdf&sa=X&ei=4FzHS6ONK4OdlgfTsuzEAQ&ved=0CAwQzgQoADAA&usg=AFQjCNF-QtCZqGzWY7IgUzy1hgA1lDgi7A"]link[/url] to the PDF.

If you don't know already, you will need to buy a good respirator for grinding or sanding fiberglass. Never breathe any of that dust!

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jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2010 : 12:53:35

I think you should have sent the the port-a-potti back to the PO

Edited by - jerlim on 04/15/2010 12:55:05

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1776 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2010 : 13:16:38

My boat was also a "bargain" that has required much more repair/refurbishing/TLC -- whatever you want to call it than it technically was/is/will ever be worth. That said, my reasons for doing more than I had originally planned is for a similar reason as you seem to have come to; the boat has "character" and really fits so many of my sailing needs/wants that can not be filled with other boats. While I have not done any deck/core work I am sure that if done properly the boat will outlast any of us. In my case I had professional work done on a few things but I still have speant far less than many other boats would haave cost. Just remember to have patince, take each project one step at a time, and don't be affraid to ask questions whenever and however often you need to.

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2010 : 13:56:37

the boat does not have balsa core. The deck is cored with plywood. The hull is solid glass. The keel well has plywood.

I'm not sure if the painted deck has gelcoat under the paint or just wood.

Bulkhead replacement is pretty easy since they are not glassed in. Just screws.

I've seen a local C25 with all the bulkheads removed. Opens up the boat real nice! Keep just enough bulkhead for the chainplate.

I scoffed at this but then saw a Capri 25 and that is the way they are built.

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2010 : 14:49:19

Andy, if you haven't already done so - you should become familiar with West Systems. Great products and great people who have a real passion for boat repair.

Edited by - OJ on 04/16/2010 02:07:31

Tomas Kruska
Admiral

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Czech Republic
522 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2010 : 06:04:53

Does anyone have a plans where everywhere is the plywood used on the deck as a fibreglass core? Does some Catalina Yacht plans exists?

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2010 : 08:21:54

I have been watching a friend replace the balsa core in the deck of his Pearson, and he used a man-made foam coring material, instead of replacing it with balsa. It is very impressive. As the new coring material is being installed, it becomes completely saturated with resin, and it is no longer capable of absorbing water. In effect, it becomes a solid fiberglass core, and it can never become soft or saturated again. If I had to replace the plywood coring material on a C25, I think I'd use that material. My friend used the foam coring material in conjunction with West System products.

The following website describes it: http://boatdesign.net/articles/working-with-foam-cores/

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2010 : 09:58:01

In my stinpotter days I had to have some work done on my SeaRay. While at the repair shop I noticed they had seperated the hull from the liner on several boats so they could do repairs easier.

Has anyone ever done or thought about doing that with a C25? Seems like if you were doing deck coring it would be easier if you removed the liner form the hull and flipped it over so you could work on it looking down instead of up.

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