Softspot repair or roof replacement

[KaraMel]

Hi all,

On my recently purchased Virgo Voyager, there are two large soft spots (not near the mast) on the roof of the cabin, and as I investigate further around the windows for example the ply is just black and very wet.

Q: As it is a project and I want to 'make better than good' not just 'make good', should I (can I ) replace the roof entirely or just cut out and repair soft spots?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Stemar]

If you're working to the value of the boat, do the small repairs. If you're doing a restoration, replace the lot, which will almost certainly be easier and look better unless you're a skilled craftsman. It'll also allow you to see what's going on in the hidden bits.

I suspect you already know the answer.

 

[Poignard]

You might find this WEST manual helpful (pages 33-37):

https://www.westsystem.com/wp-content/uploads/Wooden-Boat-Restoration-and-Repair.pdf

 

[KaraMel]

Thanks I have a read

 

[eilerts]

Hard to say from the information above. If there is a liner under the deck (like vinyl, plywood with vinyl, etc) I suggest you remove it and try to see the extent of rotten core. Drill some holes, if it is hard to see. I would suggest to just do the spots.

I did a similar job a few years back. As the deck had a nice and undamaged anti skid pattern, we decided to do the job from inside. About 4 square meters of moist balsa was removed and replaced by PU foam (divinycell). The core vas glued in place and presses against the upper laminate with thin plywood and lots of sticks until the glue cured. Laminating the lower skin was a job from hell, mostly because I were rather optimistic about the size of mat I could handle alone. The lesson learnt was: first, saturate the surface of the core and let it cure. Limit the size of mat to what you can handle. Also, cover floor and and sides completely with plastic film and yourself with tyvek suit or similar. Gloves and glasses, of course. It was a messy job, but saved us from tremendous finish work.

 

[Hacker]

Go and watch the Sail Life videos on YouTube. Mads replaced pretty much all the core on his decks.