A Not-So-Nice Refit Surprise !

[CharlieCobra]

So, here I am, going along with sanding the cabin top and dressing the edges when I discover an issue with the companionway hatch. Seeing as the only way to repair it right is to take apart the hatch trunk, I start after it. I drill out the bungs (some morons epoxied them in) and start pulling screws. I get the trunk screws out and drive a wedge to break it loose, no joy... I pull a screw in the forward trim to check depth, it's not long enough to reach through the trunk top but I figure there's hidden screws and pull them all.

Lo and behold, the piece won't budge and I can see a glue line. I go below and scrape interior paint looking for screws from inside. Nope, hmm, there's some gorgeous varnished mahogany under that paint... The only way to get the trunk off it to remove that wood. Unfortunately, the previous industrious IDIOTS epoxied that piece down too so I had to destroy it to get it off. No, the heat gun wouldn't touch it.



Why on earth would anyone epoxy down a trim piece that covers fasteners? Just more wood I gotta buy and this ones a complex curve so I'm gonna need a 3"x6"x30" piece to start from.

Anyway, it's progressing as you can see in the picture of the house front with just a sealer coat of CPES on it.



I think I'm gonna seal and varnish the house and bulwarks before putting down the Sanitred.





I found mahogany with varnish under the paint on both the trunk and companionway hatch so I considering leaving them bright too.

Boy, some sanding sure makes that Luan look much better..

[knottybuoyz]

You must have the patience of a saint to do that kind of work! Good job!

[imagine2frolic]

Are you still out of work Charlie? If so it could be a blessing to save Oh Joy. Your work is looking great, and tons of progress......i2f

[CharlieCobra]

Yep, still outta work. S'alright. If the house goes away, we can live on Oh Joy. It'll give me a jump start towards getting out there sooner.

[Little Otter]

Hey at least you don't have to worry about getting in trouble for unpaid taxes if they come for you just sail to Australia for a little bit.

[SkiprJohn]

The boat looks great bright. Many folks who do boat work don't understand about epoxy being permanent and really screwing things up if you have to ever unscrew something. Your photos and story are a good lesson to us who are still putting boats together. Use varnish to install bungs.
Kind regards,
JohnL

[CharlieCobra]

That's the plan. I do use CPES as a sealer everywhere though.

[CharlieCobra]

Originally Posted by knottybuoyz

You must have the patience of a saint to do that kind of work! Good job!

Funny, patience was NEVER one of my virtues when I was younger.... I guess raising 8 kids instilled some in me.

[Tropic Cat]

All I have say is that you truly have the patience of a Saint and you're a very good wood worker.

[CharlieCobra]

Tropic Cat, we'll see when I go to remake that compound curved piece I had to tear up..., just how good I am.

[Allan S]

Nice photos CharlieCobra and such a good job too....Allan