Filling in holes in GRP Sadler 29 advice request

[Johnny WAFI]

Hi all

I want to replace the multi rope jammers on my Sadler 29. The new ones have the screw holes in different places so the old holes need filling. The yard has estimated £500 plus VAT just to fill the holes.
I am not concerned with colour matching. I just want to seal the holes properly. Can I just do it myself using a Sika product for example:

"Sikaflex®-290 DC PRO
The Professional Deck Caulking Compound
Excellent weathering resistance
Robust and durable
Easy and fast sandable"

Obviously the Sadler 29 has a double hull construction, but I don't know exactly what is below the multi rope jammers.

Johnny

 

[vyv_cox]

I assume you mean ones like these? I just used Plastic Padding gelcoat repair paste. You can see the plugged holes in my pic.

There are aluminium plates in the layup to which all fittings are attached. You can detect the extent of the plates using a household wiring detector. Then drill and tap for the new fittings. (These are not my halyards, winter substitutes only!)

 

[Concerto]

I agree with vyv cox, but Plastic Padding is now called Teroson UP620.

TEROSON® UP 620

 

[doug748]

Hi all

I want to replace the multi rope jammers on my Sadler 29. The new ones have the screw holes in different places so the old holes need filling. The yard has estimated £500 plus VAT just to fill the holes.
I am not concerned with colour matching. I just want to seal the holes properly. Can I just do it myself using a Sika product for example:

"Sikaflex®-290 DC PRO
The Professional Deck Caulking Compound
Excellent weathering resistance
Robust and durable
Easy and fast sandable"

Obviously the Sadler 29 has a double hull construction, but I don't know exactly what is below the multi rope jammers.

Johnny

I hate drilling holes in boats if it can be avoided.

If the old screws can be removed cleanly (by no means a given) I would use transfer plates. Basically this is a plate that uses the original holes and screws to fix to the deck but then carries new holes and countersunk screws to suit the new jammers. The plates could be, say, 4mm stainless.

You do need some basic engineering kit but could have them made, from your paper pattern, for a lot less than £500

.

 

[Wandering Star]

Off topic (sorry) but how do you remove to replace the rope clutches from a Sadler 29? Surely they’re bolted down and not just screwed? I want to replace 4 x single clutches (2 on either side) with 2x triple rope clutches (one on either side) but have been pondering how to access the underside of the moulded deck;head lining for purpose of removing and refitting and tightening up the bolts?

 

[Johnny WAFI]

I assume you mean ones like these? I just used Plastic Padding gelcoat repair paste. You can see the plugged holes in my pic.

There are aluminium plates in the layup to which all fittings are attached. You can detect the extent of the plates using a household wiring detector. Then drill and tap for the new fittings. (These are not my halyards, winter substitutes only!)
View attachment 199780

Thank you. I am so excited to have received a reply from a legend

 

[Johnny WAFI]

I hate drilling holes in boats if it can be avoided.

If the old screws can be removed cleanly (by no means a given) I would use transfer plates. Basically this is a plate that uses the original holes and screws to fix to the deck but then carries new holes and countersunk screws to suit the new jammers. The plates could be, say, 4mm stainless.

You do need some basic engineering kit but could have them made, from your paper pattern, for a lot less than £500

.

Thank you

 

[Johnny WAFI]

I agree with vyv cox, but Plastic Padding is now called Teroson UP620.

TEROSON® UP 620

Great and I can see they do one for gel coat.

 

[vyv_cox]

Off topic (sorry) but how do you remove to replace the rope clutches from a Sadler 29? Surely they’re bolted down and not just screwed? I want to replace 4 x single clutches (2 on either side) with 2x triple rope clutches (one on either side) but have been pondering how to access the underside of the moulded deck;head lining for purpose of removing and refitting and tightening up the bolts?

See post #2. All fittings on Sadler decks are attached by machine screws into aluminium plates. No nuts.