Aft cleat in corner of cockpit

[Jackman]

The cleat bolts gave way during a storm. Anyone know how these things are bedded or what is in the middle of the fiberglass for support? I can’t slip anything for backing in between the fiberglass and don’t know if it’s wood or metal that the cleat was mounted on. Anyone have any suggestions to repair this? Boat is a 32ft Flybridge 1985.

 

[jrbrein]

While replacing wet and rotting end grain balsa along the both sides of the cockpit on my 43' DCFB, I found something I did not expect.

Since I was using a moisture meter I found high readings under the stern port cleat and this was not due to an aluminum backing plate. I removed the cleat and the outer fiberglass skin. Underneath was a balsa core and the inner skin which was no more than one layer of woven roving and a couple layers of mat. That was it!! The balsa under the cleat was moist but otherwise intact.

I removed all the balsa which was 5/8" thick and replaced it by laying up multiple layers of 17 ounce biaxial and West epoxy. I then mixed West with 406 Colloidal Silica and layered this on top of the new glass and placed the original fiberglass outer skin on top and put some bricks on top while it set up.

BTW, I used Coosa board to replace the balsa core. I used 1/2" Coosa and made up for the difference in thickness of the 5/8" thick balsa by adding extra layers of Biaxial...it is very strong!

Jon

 

[Jackman]

Thanks for the detailed instructions. I will save this info and use it if I find the balsa to be wet. So far I have no indication of this...just the bolts holding the cleat in place corroded and broke during a storm. Love that West System. I use it for everything. Were your bolts lag or were they epoxied in place?

 

[jrbrein]

When I finished the repair, I used Sikaflex caulking to seal the bolts. They are not epoxied in place.

Others on this forum may disagree but I am happy that I bought and learned how to use a moisture meter. The one I use gives relative numbers and this has helped me find and map out problem areas. Nothing is 100%.

Jon