Repairs to Marine Ply???
David Kelly
I have discovered some rot in the rudder stock of my wayfarer dinghy where
some of the fittings are screwed into the marine ply. The result is that the
screws are not gripping. In one case the rot has extended to the edge of the
marine ply so I cannot just plug the hole with a wooden peg and start again.
Can anyone offer any avice on a long term repair solution.
By the way, will my new brass screws and stainless fittings in contact with
one another cause sacraficial corrosion in a salt water environment??
Regards,
Dave
Ian Malcolm
>
> Hi,
>
> I have discovered some rot in the rudder stock of my wayfarer dinghy where
> some of the fittings are screwed into the marine ply. The result is that the
> screws are not gripping. In one case the rot has extended to the edge of the
> marine ply so I cannot just plug the hole with a wooden peg and start again.
> Can anyone offer any avice on a long term repair solution.
>
You need to drill out the holes to a significantly larger diameter and
epoxy in CROSS GRAINED hardwood plugs. (you cant use doweling because you
would be screwing into end grain so either buy plugs from Robbins Timber
or go to a good tool shop and get a plug cutter set) I would use BlueGee
2:1 mix ratio epoxy as the bottles are calibrated to permit the mixing of
small quantities down to 15ml accurately and it is available in a
relatively small starter kit for a reasonable price. The Epoxy should be
thickened for gluing, SP Systems epoxy glue powder is suitable and is also
available in reasonably small quantities. After its all set up, chisel
off any protruding parts of the plugs, fill any small holes with more
epoxy, Sand and varnish (3 coats) before refitting the fittings and drill
pilot holes for all the screws (preferably the 'chipboard' style that has
a thread all the way up, You CANT afford the wasted grip due to the
unthreaded shank of a normal wood screw). Bed the fittings on a good
marine mastic (Not Silicone, its no da**ed good), and put a drop of
varnish down each hole with a match stick before driving the screw.
while you are at it, check for wear around the pivot bolt, and if it needs
it, drill out the blade and epoxy in a bush. From now on, deal with loose
screws and damaged varnish promptly and it should last for many years.
> By the way, will my new brass screws and stainless fittings in contact with
> one another cause sacraficial corrosion in a salt water environment??
USE STAINLESS SCREWS, Brass, Stainless and salt water is disaster waiting
to happen. Your screws WILL dezinc and then have all the structural
strength of peanut brittle. You will also then risk corrosion to the
steel.
--
Ian Malcolm. London, ENGLAND. (NEWSGROUP REPLY PREFERRED)
ianm[at]the[dash]malcolms[dot]freeserve[dot]co[dot]uk [at]=@, [dash]=- &
[dot]=.
*Warning* SPAM TRAP set in header, Use email address in sig. if you must.
'Stingo' Albacore #1554 - 15' Uffa Fox designed, All varnished hot moulded
wooden racing dinghy circa. 1961
Simon Brooke
> Hi,
>
> I have discovered some rot in the rudder stock of my wayfarer dinghy where
> some of the fittings are screwed into the marine ply. The result is that the
> screws are not gripping. In one case the rot has extended to the edge of the
> marine ply so I cannot just plug the hole with a wooden peg and start again.
> Can anyone offer any avice on a long term repair solution.
REpairs in marine ply panels can usually be patched but in the case of
a rudder stock my guess is that it will be simpler to replace.
> By the way, will my new brass screws and stainless fittings in contact with
> one another cause sacraficial corrosion in a salt water environment??
Yes. Stainless screws would be better.
--
si...@jasmine.org.uk (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/
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