Plywood topsides

[Guest]

Hi All,

I have a mk2 Caprice, plastic hull, plywood top. (Thats why I put it in this forum...maybe not a classic but sort of woodish) Some of the ply feels a bit soft underfoot (Springy..) Is this normal? Indicative of a problem? I do weigh a bit (15 stones) so maybe it is just that? It seems to be worse around the cockpit sole and area that gets some standing water in it. To my uniformed eyes (this is my first boat that I have only had this season) it looks like replacing the whole of the cockpit area wouldn't be too bad. It is all flat panels. However I do not wish to start something that may just grow and grow and end up a nightmare. The surveyors report this year did not mention that as a problem so am I worrying needlessly? Is there a test I can do to see if the ply is ok?

Any suggestions gladly received.

Duzzy

 

[Jacket]

If the plywood still feels springy its probably just natural flexing of the structure, and is present in most small boats, whether they have plywood or glassfibre decks. Start worrying when the decks feel soft but without the spring.

If you're still worried try taking a 'core' of the wood using a circle cutter drill attachment. This will allow you to examine the sample you remove for water ingress. Just make sure you put a strong patch over where you've removed the core both to prevent water ingress into the expsed end grain of the plywood and to stop the hole acting as a stess concentrator, causing cracking.

 

[Plum]

I too have plywood tops. Use a moisture meter to compare moisture readings in the suspicious areas with areas you know are OK. This is what my surveyer did. Even if you can borrow a meter, you may still need an experienced user to tell you what moisture differences are significan and what are not. Also, before you start stripping, use a 1 inch hole saw and take a core sample from the area you are most woried about for inspection. Plug the hole with epoxy if all is OK.