Why you should weigh a sunfish...

Ok enough of that...lol
Time to address the leaking mast step.
First I found some specialize mast step cleaning tools. They were hard to find as Home Depot mistakenly had stocked them in the paint department.
Quick wipe with glass cleaner and then acetone.
Measured and cut some fiberglass tape to the length of the step from the inside lip to just above the base. This tape is designed for use in drywall finishing, I choose to use it as to avoid building up the interior of the step too much. Notice the tape has a built in crease to fold for corners,it is slightly thinner in the center, this will be more obvious when wetted.
Ok the rest was wetting out the glass and placing strips in the step, and using a brush and the tube of caulking err mast step tool to squeeze out the excess resin.
 

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I haven't done that repair, but just in case, did you overlap the strips and by how much?
2. Did you do one strip at a time and let it cure prior to applying the next one?
 
Yes wave I overlapped the glass but only a 1/4” or so. The idea was only to seal up the leak I wasn’t going for structural integrity, hence the thin tape.

Mix that thin tape gave me plenty of leeway to work.

...but it was all for not. Apparently there is a shelf life for resin, and it’s a bit shorter then the 6 year old can I used. Once I realized it wasn’t kicking I checked and realized my error. So I removed and cleaned the mess.
It took over 3 hours in the sun for the resin to kick, and even then it remained tacky.

Picked up some new resin and I’ll repeat the process. Had company stopping by so I’ll try and resume after dinner. I’ll take pics if it comes out any different.
 
Drywall tape is offered in paper and fiberglass now. :cool:

I learned something new today, which should help extend the life of the 4-oz fiberglass tape I've been hanging onto. :)
 
There IS laminating resin...im guessing you know...that will stay tacky, so you're not sanding between lay ups.
There are shelf lives for that stuff... but I sometimes tend think it's more for the manufacturers protection. I've used 3 yr old gelcoat, which worked out ok.....those off colors you rarely use.
Bummer it didn't kick. Hair dryers have been my friend, sometimes.
 
Well they say “things happen for a reason”

This time the reason was in my hast I somehow overlooked the fact that the mast step is crack all the way around the bottom!!!
When I found the leak half way down the step, I pretty stopped looking. Well after cleaning up my first attempt, I noticed what looked like a sloppy initial install. Upon closer inspection, ugh!!!
Nasty crack towards the bottom, not sure why it didn’t leak but I can feel the broken fiberglass with my hand. This became a bigger job then I had hoped.

I’ll come up with my plan of attack over a much deserved cold beer.
 
is your cold beer sitting near an inspection port?.....or cut a hole in the bottom ( My preferred method)....mummy-fy that tube in the interior and have no worries ? You can then put proper backing plates for the deck mounted hardware in that area too.
 
Well it sure isn’t the neatest work I’ve done, and I’m afraid although she may have lost some water weight, she gained back a bit in resin!!!
Lol
Working through the 6” hole was a challenge. One trick that worked ok was while wetting the glass, leave the ends dry so you can maneuver and manipulate the piece with out it sticking to your gloves. Once in place wet the rest out.
 

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Final layup
 

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So did you put vertical strips and horizontal strips?
No only horizontal, the base was still solidly attached and I did splay the bottom a bit for reinforcement. I don’t see how vertical strips would have made this repair any stronger the weave is already going in both directions. Plus it may not show in the pictures but at least 2 of layers I would more describe as sheets as opposed to strips. They measured roughly 8”x12”.
Obviously it wouldn’t have hurt to do some vertical strips but this thing is already obnoxiously over built.
 
An update for those not watching the classifieds. After careful consideration and going over the trailer, I decided my best plan was to sell the trailer. Man did it sell fast!!!

I transport my boat in my pickup and as for now I’m thinking the trailer is over complicating my situation.
 
Final fit and finish of the mast step repair.
Thickened up some epoxy with DE and used signal Charlie’s paint stick trick to coat the inside of the step.
Some sticky sand paper around the shop vac hose made a great sanding tool to clean up the inside.
 

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Inspection ports installed, used 5200 to seal them. Remember to have the lids screwed in place before snugging down the fasteners.
Also installed the ronstan orbit 55 block with stand up spring.
I’ll be taking her out today, forecast 18-25 mph winds!!
 

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