[Rhodes22-list] Blue Heron gets beaded

[Michael D. Weisner]

Rick,

Several years ago I faced a similar problem with the cockpit floor of my '81 
R22:
http://www.nabble.com/leaks-to9963010.html#a9998040

The floor had two additional major problems, both responsible for the 
admission of water.  When the boat was new, we witnessed the development of 
"star burst" patterns of damage in the cockpit floor gelcoat.  They were 
circular with radial lines extending 3 to 4 inches from the  center.  Over 
the years, water must have entered the glass layers in the floor through 
these defects to cause the second and more serious problem: the separation 
or delamination of the floor components.  The freeze and thaw cycles of the 
NY winter increased the damage to floor, using the trapped water as a wedge. 
This became evident when the floor "oil canned" as a large bubble formed 
beneath the upper layers.  This was compounded by the destruction of the 
foam below as water continued to pass through the floor, destroying the 
support system for the cockpit floor.  Eventually, the top layer of the 
floor cracked and I was able to see into the separated
layers directly.

I concentrated my efforts on rebuilding the cockpit floor to take the 
punishment that it gets in normal use.  After drilling holes in the floor to 
access the internal layers, I spent several months drying out the floor 
using acetone and fans while keeping water out of the cockpit using tarps.
I added structural wood supports and plywood to the foam below the cockpit. 
I removed all damaged foam and replaced it.  When the structure below was 
solid and the floor was dry, I used penetrating epoxy from West Marine to 
reattach the layers of glass, compressing the floor down using bricks on wax 
paper.  Once that the epoxy had cured, I filled the holes and any
remaining voids using 105/206/407, finishing flush with the gel coat.

Because I am not skilled enough with gel coat repairs and wish to prevent a 
similar failure in the future, I finished the cockpit floor with 
"Treadmaster Original Smooth Pattern" anti-slip deck covering.  It is about 
$150 per 3' x 4' sheet, is 1/8" thick and is secured with water proof 
adhesive.  This restored the cockpit floor, providing a really comfortable 
(on the feet) polymer surface that absorbs shock well and prevent water from 
entering the floor.

After an entire season of use, I can honestly say that it is the most 
comfortable cockpit floor that I have ever felt.  The upkeep is easy.  The 
surface is non-skid and soft under foot.  I should have put it in years ago.

I attached a photo of the two color flooring installed on my R22 (the link 
is probably at the very bottom of this email.

Mike
s/v Shanghaid'd Summer ('81)
       Nissequogue River, NY


From: "Sloop Blue Heron" Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2009
> At age 16, Blue Heron is getting her topsides painted over in Awlgrip. 
> The
> yard has removed all the hardware and has begun repairing water 
> penetration
> damage to the core in many places.  The mast step is pretty squishy, so 
> that
> will be rebuilt and re-glassed before painting.
>
>
>
> Since the paint will fill in the non-skid patterns in the gelcoat, the 
> yard
> is going to add glass beads to the paint for painting over the existing
> non-skid areas.  In addition, they will alter the color of the non-skid so
> it is more easily recognized by guests and me during my senior moments. 
> The
> general color will be "off white" and the non-skid will have a little red
> added in to be "moon" in color-sort of a light tan.
>
>
>
> In the cockpit, only the sole and the lazzerette lid has non-skid now, 
> which
> is handy when messing with the IMF.   The yard suggests painting all the
> cockpit seating surface as non-skid for boarding safety.  That seems like 
> a
> good idea to me because, even during the roughest ride, I use the cushions
> all the time.  The glass beads ought to help keep the cushions in place, 
> so
> it is unlikely anyone will ever sit on the itchy beads.  Does anyone have
> any experience with that?
>
>
>
> Rick
>
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