Rookie Sailboat DIY

[Sam.S]

Hi folks, I'm Sam. I'm a university student in New Zealand who has just picked up a sailboat to repair as a wee summer project.

As a rookie I have little knowledge on sail boats. What I can tell you is it is a 16ft trailer sailor. As far as I can tell I need to replace the ply on the floor, and repaint the cabin as it is flaking severely. Also the ply on the (transom?) at the back is rotten and needs to be replaced. As far as I can tell it is kanvas/fiberglass over ply and have no idea what the best approach to replacing the ply would be.
Any help or suggestions much appreciated!

 

[[32511]]

A few photos would help...

 

[DownWest]

Would it be a Trailer Sailor 16? Sounds like you need to find out of the sheathing is polyester or époxy resin. Very much doubt if it is canvas, but one never knows.. If époxy, it can be removed with a heat gun as it will soften. If polyester, it probably won't stick that well and more easy to remove. Keep cutting back ply until you have removed ALL the rot. This will be further than you expect, as it travels down the laminâtes. Also, get onto the Wooden Boat forum; There are several owners of Oz & NZ TS16s there who have done rebuilds.
DW

By all accounts, a very good boat to sail.

To learn about epoxy. Read the Gougeon Brothers on Boat Construction. Available free online. Everthing you will need to know about repairing your boat is somewhere in there.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Would it be a Trailer Sailor 16? Sounds like you need to find out of the sheathing is polyester or époxy resin. Very much doubt if it is canvas, but one never knows.. If époxy, it can be removed with a heat gun as it will soften. If polyester, it probably won't stick that well and more easy to remove. Keep cutting back ply until you have removed ALL the rot. This will be further than you expect, as it travels down the laminâtes. Also, get onto the Wooden Boat forum; There are several owners of Oz & NZ TS16s there who have done rebuilds.
DW

By all accounts, a very good boat to sail.

To learn about epoxy. Read the Gougeon Brothers on Boat Construction. Available free online. Everthing you will need to know about repairing your boat is somewhere in there.

Could it be Cascover Sheathing? Nylon cloth in a resourcinol adhesive. Widely used on boats 40 or more years ago. Very effective until damaged, I gather.

 

[DownWest]

Could it be Cascover Sheathing? Nylon cloth in a resourcinol adhesive. Widely used on boats 40 or more years ago. Very effective until damaged, I gather.

Didn't think of that AP, we did one of our 20ft cruiser racers in Cascover. It was going to Africa and the owner wanted some extra protection. Circa '62? Tricky to remove.