Sticky Interior

pachx

New Member
So I just cut a port hole for a mast step reinforcement and the inside of the boat is all sticky. It’s almost as if the resin never fully cured. Is this normal? It’s a 1983 that seems very dry with no mast step leak. Shoddy lay up? Any other thoughts?
 
I love mysteries like this. This is definitely NOT normal :) the inside of my boat is not sticky. Is it sticky in one localized area or everywhere you can reach your hand? Is the port hole that you cut the only inspection port in the boat? Is this a boat you just acquired? How do you know the mast step doesn’t leak? Did you fill it up with water? Are you sure the sticky stuff is resin? After you touched the sticky stuff did you smell your hand? If so what did it smell like? Don’t laugh! I have to ask these questions. I need some more info to solve this case.
 
Sticky/ tacky everywhere I can reach, solid though, not soft anywhere. Only the one inspection port so far. Boat is new to me and is mint, PO says it was only sailed maybe a dozen times since 1987 and always garage stored. The mast step still has all the gelcoat in the bottom of the tube so it’s not cracked or worn through, and it also stayed full of water after it rained the other night. As for the smell, it’s not a musty damp smell or a resin smell, it smells sharp and sour. Don’t know how else to describe it. Maybe sitting in a hot garage for decades all sealed up and it’s weeping solvent?
 

Attachments

  • 118A7194-AE04-4B2F-A309-7422C2E7D4EF.jpeg
    118A7194-AE04-4B2F-A309-7422C2E7D4EF.jpeg
    1.6 MB · Views: 79
  • 37640C76-B10F-49C4-932C-024E89692C24.jpeg
    37640C76-B10F-49C4-932C-024E89692C24.jpeg
    1.3 MB · Views: 80
Nice looking! Just let it air out (inside of course).
And go sailing after you install a block for the main sheet.
 
That’s crazy. I don’t know. Never heard of such a thing. you could do a test with water and different solvents to see what will cut it. Or take sample and send it off to a lab :) seriously though it doesn’t sound like it’s hurting anything. Like Wavedancer said just air it out and go sailing!Anyway, enjoy the boat. It looks like an interesting Laser! I’d be interested to know the hull number. Should be on the transom.
 
That’s crazy. I don’t know. Never heard of such a thing. you could do a test with water and different solvents to see what will cut it. Or take sample and send it off to a lab :) seriously though it doesn’t sound like it’s hurting anything. Like Wavedancer said just air it out and go sailing!Anyway, enjoy the boat. It looks like an interesting Laser! I’d be interested to know the hull number. Should be on the transom.

Acetone seemed to dry the surface but only if you really scrubbed it. More about the boat though: included were some old brochures and the original sail numbers, pretty neat stuff. Ever herd of a Laser M? Appears similar to a radial. Also those flame sails looks badass. I’ve never seen a picture of one though.
 

Attachments

  • CF47896B-E264-4641-8BC2-1B202612760D.jpeg
    CF47896B-E264-4641-8BC2-1B202612760D.jpeg
    823.8 KB · Views: 82
  • 31B81231-2CE3-4B9D-9CB7-77CA9E0F40E8.jpeg
    31B81231-2CE3-4B9D-9CB7-77CA9E0F40E8.jpeg
    943.5 KB · Views: 72
  • 8A948834-E737-4F58-A6D8-40DE36AF83C3.jpeg
    8A948834-E737-4F58-A6D8-40DE36AF83C3.jpeg
    857.3 KB · Views: 80
  • 7BD07556-6F40-4A2D-9592-25593537AF74.jpeg
    7BD07556-6F40-4A2D-9592-25593537AF74.jpeg
    852.7 KB · Views: 72
Acetone seemed to dry the surface but only if you really scrubbed it. More about the boat though: included were some old brochures and the original sail numbers, pretty neat stuff. Ever herd of a Laser M? Appears similar to a radial. Also those flame sails looks badass. I’ve never seen a picture of one though.

All that old stuff is cool. Those old color brochures would be great framed. They may have had some early rigs geared for vacation resorts. Not sure but I’ve heard something like that before. I could definitely get into a sail with flames on it! Very cool! You should show up at a regatta with your color sail and hull with graphics. People would love it!
 
And finally - here is a picture of one of those flame sails - they are even better in real life :)

If only the builders would still make coloured sails....
 

Attachments

  • 101_0244.jpg
    101_0244.jpg
    846.2 KB · Views: 75
Just a warning: efforts to clean up the inside of your hull with acetone aren't good for your health and will contribute to air pollution.
 
My two cents.

You've already drilled an access hole, so let it air out. If it doesn't leak and othewise sails, don't worry about it and have fun.
 
Just caught up to this thread... stickiness implies an error in the building process, like someone forgot gelcoat or surfacing resin. The sour smell? Maybe your hull is actually a cartel number made of cocaine, LOL. :eek:
 

Back
Top