Numpty question: how long to rebed deck fittings?

[NealB]

Being a Westerly owner, I should mention all fittings that were fitted during building, Westerly glassfibred over all of the nuts for extra protection against leaks. If there have been any nuts exposed whilst the head lining is removed, these are fittings added by a previous owner. If they have no signs of leaking, then leave well alone.

You may find my presntation of fitting foam backed vinyl in my Fulmar worth looking at.

https://wiki.westerly-owners.co.uk/images/1/17/Vinyl_Headling_Concerto_PowerPoint.pdf

Many thanks, Concerto.

As you say, most of the fixings are glassed over.

I'm not aboard at the moment, but I think the halyard winches, and the deck clutches, have exposed nuts.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

I often wondered about the wisdom of glassing over the under deck nuts as if there was a leak the first you might know about it is a soggy deck and the fitting pulling out because of the rotten core.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

It might pay to bring back the glassing just to check you can always put a dab of something on them afterwards. Shouldn't take long.

 

[matt1]

When I built my kit Hunter Channel 31 it took me about a month to fit all the deck fittings. Obviously this was on a completely new deck which didn’t need existing fittings removed, but on the other hand needed all the holes / cut outs etc to be done (so probably comparable to your project?) This was working most weekends and some evenings.

 

[ghostlymoron2]

If the sealant has been on for 30+ yrs, I would replace it whilst the lining is off. Its likely to have gone hard and lost its elasticity. I should think a week of effort should be enough especially with an able assistant.

 

[Concerto]

I often wondered about the wisdom of glassing over the under deck nuts as if there was a leak the first you might know about it is a soggy deck and the fitting pulling out because of the rotten core.

Having a Westerly, you probably do not know how well they built the decks. Most of the decks on boats earlier than the late 80's/early 90's had balsa core decks but in areas known to be for deck fittings, either factory fitted or for later fitting, were reinforced with marine plywood. They used the best marine sealants. If there are problems with leaks in deck fittings, it has always been due to fittings that were fitted later, usually by the owner not using the correct sealant or fixing in an area of balsa core and not replacing the balsa core to stop compression.

By comparison I am more worried about the use of adhesives to bond deck joints to the hull and large hull windows in modern production boats. There are an increasing number of sources saying they are not performing as they should, but that is only after a few years. What is going to happen over the next few decades? If a large hull window springs, it may cause the hull to flood and cause it to sink. Why are there no mechanical fixings? Cost and looks. No fixings makes everything look cleaner and costs less to fit, which keeps the accountants happy.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Not to argue for the sake of it and no although having sailed on many Westerlies I have never owned one but marine ply is not impervious to rot when continually exposed to water as in a leaky deck fitting.
Bonded windows and panels maybe new to the marine industry but have been around for many years in more demanding situations without undue numbers of failures of which there will always be some including Westerly deck fittings. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with Westerly yachts but the majority of them will be 30 or even 40 years old or very close, things have moved on including the materials used in yacht building. The same could be said for any vessel built that long ago be it a Vancouver, Rustler or heaven forbid a Westerly. Given it's history of business failure and multiple reincarnation and ownership I wouldn't be so sure that the building standards were maintained if ever they were present.

 

[Wansworth]

Awhile back there was a series of posts about a boatbuilder who set to refurbish a westerly 26.Not sure of the outcome but he stripped the boat completely inside and out and restarted putting it all back properly.The thing I recall was his conclusion that itwas not worth it,I assume moneywise…..but going on the price of new boats it could be the only way to get afloat in basically a new boat

 

[matt1]

I’ll get my hull window popcorn, not that it’s relevant to the deck fitting question in hand

To be fair If I had taken all my headliner and vinyl lining down I too would be looking to rebed the deck fittings. Being the pedant I am, I’d probably also replace the fixings too. It’s not particularly difficult and would give peace of mind. The two boats I built both had marine ply backing pads but I nevertheless sealed the plywood with epoxy before I bedded the new fittings down. Do I mention I was a pedant

 

[B27]

Having a Westerly, you probably do not know how well they built the decks. Most of the decks on boats earlier than the late 80's/early 90's had balsa core decks but in areas known to be for deck fittings, either factory fitted or for later fitting, were reinforced with marine plywood. They used the best marine sealants. If there are problems with leaks in deck fittings, it has always been due to fittings that were fitted later, usually by the owner not using the correct sealant or fixing in an area of balsa core and not replacing the balsa core to stop compression.

By comparison I am more worried about the use of adhesives to bond deck joints to the hull and large hull windows in modern production boats. There are an increasing number of sources saying they are not performing as they should, but that is only after a few years. What is going to happen over the next few decades? If a large hull window springs, it may cause the hull to flood and cause it to sink. Why are there no mechanical fixings? Cost and looks. No fixings makes everything look cleaner and costs less to fit, which keeps the accountants happy.

As a late friend worked on the shop floor for Westerly and other boat builders in the area, I'd suggest you worry about your own boat and leave other people to worry about theirs.