Fixing Water Damaged Panels.

[SeanC]

I removed the panels from under the helm. They looked good from the front, but not so good from the back. A significant portion of the bottom of the panels had delaminated and was crumbling. The bottom inch or so had no structural integrity. The chances of finding a board in the correct colour would be difficult and I didn’t want to use white as it would really stand out.


So I ordered some low viscosity epoxy. I sealed the edges of the delaminated ply with caulk. Put a bit of caulk at each end and the taped around the end a bit higher than the end of the board to make a reservoir. I made batches of about 1 1/2 ounces and poured it onto the end of the board. There were a few minor leaks, but after a couple of pours they stopped.


I filled to above the bottom of the board. When it was cured I sanded it back a bit. I was surprised by the amount of epoxy used. It really soaked in.


I then re-installed them. Good for another 20 years. Just need to run a bead of caulk along the bottom.
One of those rare projects when everything went as planned

 

[Hookup1]

Replace them with Starboard - Seafoam.

 

[seasick]

Looks good.
Time will tell on longevity.

 

[SkunkBoat]

replace with PVC board from home depot/lowes. Way cheaper than Starboard. It is perfect for that application.

 

[SeanC]

Replace them with Starboard - Seafoam.

I like to keep things as original as I can. I used about $20 in epoxy while a sheet of starboard over here is close to $200.

 

[DennisG01]

Good idea, Sean. If Grady would have done that to begin with (or installed them slightly higher off the floor to begin with), you would have never had to make this post

 

[wahoo33417]

Sean: Very helpful. The kind of post that pays for the cost of entry!

Tx, Rob

 

[8925400]

I came across the same issue with a used 1998 Adventure 208 that I recently purchased. I discovered that the bottom of the cabin bulkhead (located just forward of the helm area) was all rotted.












I decided to replace / rebuild the entire bulkhead with a new one.

I don't understand why Grady White would leave the bottom plywood edge of this bulkhead unsealed so that water on the deck could wick up into the core. Seems lazy to me. One sweep of a brush along the edge with some fiberglass resin when the boat was being manufactured could have prevented this rot from occurring.

Grady White is supposed to be a quality brand.

What did Grady White think would happen leaving this wood exposed?
Grady White doesn't seem to understand that there should be zero exposed (unsealed) wood on a boat! You don't need to be a genius to figure that out !
Is Grady White just being lazy or is it they just don't care?