I'm pretty handy, so though I'd ask what's involved to fix it myself.
I haven't cut any inspection ports yet - but spring is coming.
1) The deck is soft and has a lot of flex. A small crack exists as well.
2) The mast step doesn't hold water. I can probably open up a couple of inspection ports and fix that up so it's water tight and structurally sound.
3) The hull is really soft... pretty much everywhere.... transom too!
Are the deck and hull similar in construction? A layer of foam between two fibre layers?
Or is that just the deck?
Can I separate the deck from the hull, scrape and reapply the foam sandwich?
Can I tighten up the deck?
I ended up separating the deck and hull using a putty knife at the gunnels. By suspending the deck after separating the ends, very little effort was needed to separate the hull at the cockpit drain and mast step (normally the only major points that are bonded together).
So was it worth it? For me it was.
John
John,
This sounds about what I was expecting. 5 ports. Just got my first one and will open 'er up to take a look within the next couple of weeks.
Maybe deck separation is the ticket. Just fun for me too...
Did you need to "support" the hull from warping once you removed the deck? Or will it maintain it's shape?
Got any pics?
If it's too bad, cut off the bow and transom to make the perfect hiking bench. As a hiking bench it could be worth more than as an old boat!
Why do you want to destroy a "functional" boat just because it is not "race ready"?
There is much life left in my boat that will bring joy to several people.
BESIDES, if you were to make a hiking bench, you would be cutting off significantly more than just the "bow" and "transom" to leave just the cockpit area. THEN you would have to reinforce the sections where you removed the ends and lost the structural strength. As a result, you would have to spend much time and money in your frivolous project suggestion.
Remember, not everybody wants a Laser to race. Open your mind to other options!
A sandpit?
Canadians must endure 3 months of bad sledding. I'm a reformed New Englander. We can sail year round down here in South Australia. I wear a 3 mm wetsuit in the winter because I still think I'm frostbiting not because I need it.oztayls,
I just noticed you're an Aussie.
I should have realized it earlier by your responses. <grin>
Seriously, I do hope people will acknowledge that most fiberglass boats can be made "serviceable". It depends on the needs and desires of the individual. I enjoyed the work I did on my Laser. It taught me many things and it is fun to sail. Will I sail competitively? Maybe after I loose 60+ lbs.
That is my only point in trying to respond to Granitize's original post.
I notice that he is Canadian. That means he has even more time to work on his boat before the snow melts...
John
Ahhhhh to have longer on the water. Still below freezing here most days.... And a snow storm forecast for the w/e. Sigh......
So... I opened up an inspection port and took some pics. There is still some water in the hull!
The mast step and insides don't look too bad to me. Any comments?
Pics here. More to com as I open up more holes.
https://plus.google.com/photos/112678407658147040793/albums/5863120400793580033?banner=pwa
1. Do I need to remove the base of the mast step before patching it? My guess is yes ...so I can see the actual condition.
There is also discoloration and wet foam at the inspection port I cut from a small hole at the top of the mast step.
As you can see there are a couple of poor attempt as repair on the deck and the hull is poorly painted... I really feel like a chump.
2. where you can see the split deck on the port seat I expect a lot of water damage. It is pretty soft. Is it possible to cut put a 2x3 piece of the deck and make it structurally sound.
3. I expect I will be replacing the all plywood.
4. For fun and learning only.. I like fixing stuff.
Mast step isn't a bad fix... I know plenty who have done it.
Fixing a soft hull and deck, not so much.
You'll end up adding so much weight it won't be competitive