[Rhodes22-list] Repair of Spider Cracks at Mast Step Tabernacle

[Chris on LBI]

Gentlemen,

Thank you for your knowledge and patience. I am almost completely convinced
that I should use epoxy to fill the holes and to then set the tabernacle
screws into the epoxy (drilling when the epoxy is hard but before it
completely sets). I'm sorry, but I still have more repair-novice questions. 

Epoxy Plug: In examining the holes in the plate below the tabernacle, it
appears that, when the screws pulled out, none of the damage was to the
fiberglass; it was just a little gelcoat that pulled away with the screws.
If I fill the hole (and possibly expand the hole diameter in the core below
the fiberglass without expanding the hole in the fiberglass) with epoxy and
the screws pull out again, will this new epoxy plug come with the screws? If
so, will the epoxy plug pull through the fiberglass and damage the
fiberglass?

Water Infiltration: When I asked about inspection of the screw holes below
the tabernacle, I guess I was thinking that with the mast down (I take it
down at the end of each sailing season) I could back the screws out, remove
the tabernacle, inspect the holes for any signs of soft wood, and then seal
them again (either with a sealant or new butyl tape). Would this be
inadvisable to do?

Thanks,
Chris



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