Deck Holes

[Helvic hunter]

I have a HR 352 that i am refurbishng and there are 5 small deck glands to port of the mast - I have bought one of these http://www.saltyjohn.co.uk/cableport_boat_product.htm and now wish to fill in the holes in the deck. The holes vary in size from 14mm to 30mm and go through the teak deck (quite worn - bout 5mm THICK) and through the beck (bout 25mm thick). What is the best material to fill 1)the teak holes but more importantly 2) the holes in the GRP. Thanks as always for your excellent assistance

 

[Deleted member 36384]

You will find the answer and more in West's instruction manuals. The techniques are applicable to other brands of Epoxy as well: -

http://www.westsystem.com/ss/fiberglass-boat-repair-and-restoration/ in particular the fibre glass repair manual from here http://www.westsystem.com/ss/assets/HowTo-Publications/Fiberglass-Boat-Repair-and-Maintenance.pdf

Section 5.4 is basically the full monty repair back to as near predrilled condition as possible and is over kill. Instead there is another article for repairing machined holes in fibre glass http://www.westsystem.com/ss/repairing-machined-holes-in-fiberglass/ which is more relevant to what you are trying to achieve. I don't have teak but have Treadmaster and I just cut a circle out of some sample material and glued it over the hole.

 

[Helvic hunter]

Thanks a million, that really is as comprehensive an answer as I could have hoped for

 

[Eyore]

If water has been leaking in to the deck around the mast base through dodgy glands, make sure there has been no delamination of the lay up. You will notice if the area under the mast looks any bit concave. I have seen it happen on HR 352s.