Creaky cockpit seating

Anything that doesn't fit into the other Physical Systems categories
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Derek Booton
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Jul 29, 2014 11:00 pm

Creaky cockpit seating

Post by Derek Booton »

My starboard cockpit seat ( above the quarter-berth ) creaks when I stand on it. (F30 1987)
I figure the fiberglass has become delaminated from the balsa core.
I was going to try drilling a few holes through the top layer, and pouring West System in there to stop the movement.
Any other ideas before I go drilling too many holes ?
Derek
Derek Booton
"EleanorB" Freedom30
Raleigh NC

dwight
Posts: 68
Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2008 3:41 pm
Location: Newport, RI
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Re: Creaky cockpit seating

Post by dwight »

Why not make a proper repair?

Remove the hatch, turn it over, and cut off the inner skin. Scrape out the balsa. Sand the surface and dry fit new balsa. Use a notched trowel to apply appropriate adhesive and press in the balsa. Layup a new inner skin, sand and paint. Since you have not compromised the outer skin, you will never know a repair was made. You can also make the hatch better than before by replacing the balsa with solid material in the area of hinges and and latches.

Hatches make great starter projects. With limited scope the project is manageable in a basement or garage. If you get in over your head, you can carry it into the local fiberglass repair shop and have them finish it.
Dwight Escalera
Accredited Marine Surveyor, SAMS #1024
former engineer at Freedom Yachts
former owner F36-71
Wakefield, RI

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