Delamination problem

Chris Davis

New Member
Dec 29, 2019
2
Boat Info
currently 300 Weekender looking at purchasing a 420 Aft cabin
Engines
350 chev on Weekender and Cummins diesel on 420
Anyone out there had a delamination problem fixed ? I'm working on a purchase of a 1996 420 Aft cabin with bow upper deck delamination problems .I would appreciate your imput .
 
Without knowing any further details, it seems like a possible reason to look for a different boat.
 
I know it’s a repairable problem and the price of the boat reflects the problem
 
I assume your talking about a wet/rotten core in the deck - likely caused by poorly bedded hatch, windlass, lights, etc - depending on how extensive, a few ways to fix it - 1. remove hatches etc and "scoop out" the rotted core and replace with new wood and epoxy (only works if all areas accessable) - 2. cut away top (or bottom) of deck, repair core and rplace cut away section - can be tough to replicate non-skid if disturbed. 3. use injectadeck - search the internet, many videos showing this in action.
 
IMG_4230.JPG
Would cause me to wonder about an owner letting the issue get that far out of control. What else needs fixing and does the price reflect those projects. Assume the boat has diesels. Are there receipts for the required PM?
 
Seems like everybody automatically defaults to "core problems" when the word delamination is used.

During 1995-1997 production runs, several boats that were made in Palm Coast had small air pockets left in the layup along the side decks leading from the cockpit to the bow. They were difficult to find but very simple to repair by drilling into the void and injecting West Systems Epoxy into the air pocket with a hypodermic needle thru the drilled hole. My boat was one of them and I found both voids by by lightly tapping a the round end of a 1/4" drill on the deck in the areas in question. I drilled 3/16" holes around the voids and then used West Systems resin with white tinting agent to fill the voids to save having to use gelcoat to color the repair Arctic White. I wasn't sure about the match at the time, but its been 20+ years not and you can't find the 3/16" drill holes I filled with resin today.

This doesn't necessarily mean the boat is a bad risk, just that it may pay you to have a knowledgeable fiberglass technician look at the delaminated spots with you before you get committed.
 
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