mihor said:I have been fixing up an old beat up Laser.
My question is -- does anybody know what is there supposed to be underneath the cockpit floor?
mihor said:...
My question is -- does anybody know what is there supposed to be underneath the cockpit floor?
There seems to be a lengthwise support that attaches the floor to the hull. Is it so? ...
mihor said:Ok, thanks!
I think I'll open up another inspection hatch to get a bit closer and then continue the repairs.
I also do not think in the way of "gouvernail", mihor. I say: Follow the words of "Chris123" and take care well of where you put out the new inspection-port at the deck between the cockpit and the stern. Maybe ask a local professional boat-restorer what to do.gouvernail said:This boat is trashed. Fixing it will result in a lousy old boat that does not sail well. Cut the thing into pueces and deposit in a nearby dumpster. If you are too broke to get a decent boat, spending more money and time on this piece of crap won't get you anywhere closer to happiness. Either go buy a new boat with money you have or get a part time job for a few weeks and use the money to get a new boat.
In the long run your entire life will be better.
gouvernail said:This boat is trashed. Fixing it will result in a lousy old boat that does not sail well. Cut the thing into pieces and deposit in a nearby dumpster. If you are too broke to get a decent boat, spending more money and time on this piece of crap won't get you anywhere closer to happiness. Either go buy a new boat with money you have or get a part time job for a few weeks and use the money to get a new boat.
In the long run your entire life will be better.
gouvernail said:Phooey, I just typed this long impassioned description of why I was so brutal about not fixing up delaminated lasers but I lost it while resigning in to the forum.
Brief version. There are lots and lots of used lasers out there. A laser with a delaminated deck is almost impossible to fix such that the expected result is years of trouble free service.
Whenever any set of directions is written about gluing two pieces of fiberglass together, the directions include grinding with really nasty grits, cleaning with nasty solvents, and carefully applying the glue to both surfaces.
When a Laser deck delaminates, the space between the laminates includes powdered foam, mildew, water, and dead bugs. There is no way injecting epoxy between the layers will result in a durable solid structure.
If the repair to the deck happens to work, the hull attached will still be the same old flexible hull.
There are just so many better ways to get a good solid laser under yourself.
I absolutely believe the proper thing to do with a delaminated laser is to remove all the fittings and take the old hull to the nearest dump.
Last. There are currently 4 used lasers for sale near my city on craigslist.com The highest asking price is $1200 US. Three have trailers. One of them must have a more solid deck than a laser with a delaminted cockpit floor.
Friends don't let friends fix up delaminated Lasers.