De lamination in floor between fuel tanks?

island park

I have tried for hours to post a picture of my problem here with no luck so I hope that someone will help. I was cleaning under the dri-deck between my fuel tanks when I found an area that had the coating (gel coat?) flaking off. The area that was revealed looks to have wooden strips with the edges exposed. Could this possibly be the wood coring showing under a layer that is only the thickness of a couple of thick coats of paint? I have only had the boat since April and did not notice this before. Thank You, Paul

BrentB · Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2011 9:23 pm Post subject:

Maybe it is a piece of wood with gelcoat over it and intended for mounting your bilge pump

island park

Brent. the area affected is about 12" in front of the bilge pump well.

BrentB · Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2011 9:39 pm Post subject:

sorry wrong guess

You need an album.

Do you have a Google email account? If so, post in your Google Photo album

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2011 10:07 pm Post subject:

island park

No flickr or google account. Sorry, I wasn't prepared to post pictures, but I just discovered this problem earlier this evening.

Sea Wolf · Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 12:31 am Post subject:

Paul wrote: "I was cleaning under the dri-deck between my fuel tanks when I found an area that had the coating (gel coat?) flaking off. The area that was revealed looks to have wooden strips with the edges exposed."

Paul-

Could it be a structure intended to box in the base of a battery box to keep it from sliding around?

Maybe someone didn't want to drill holes in the floor to attach the stainless strap fittings to cinch the battery box to the floor?

Probably 'homemade", and therefore not too durable, hence the delamination?

Just a guess, based on the description and the fact that folks often add a second battery in that location.

Joe. Teeth

island park · Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 6:43 am Post subject:

Joe, it doesn't appear as though anything was added. The area looks to be the same level as the rest of the cockpit floor. My inability to post a picture here is frustrating beyond words. Perhaps, I should try the Hull Truth or another site were I might be able to post a picture.

TyBoo · Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 7:59 am Post subject:

jennykatz · Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 8:21 am Post subject: ft myers naples area

where in ft myers do you live Im in n naples area I could help you post pictures I could meet you send me a pm or e-mail Jim I sent you a pm

Dreamer · Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 12:53 pm Post subject:

Here's the foto

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 1:02 pm Post subject:

Well that is interesting. From the photo, it appears that gelcoat/paint is flaking off to reveal stringers under a clear glass top coat.

Can you physically touch the wood? If not, and there is a good layer of glass, my suspicion is that there is nothing wrong. I sure hope that is the case!!!

thataway · Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 1:58 pm Post subject:

If this is level with the rest of the floor, I suspect that there was one layer of mat or even chopper gun material, and some sprayed on gel coat. The boats are laminated in the mold, with gel coat, mat, roving / mat alternate layers on the bottom outside. Then the end grain balsa core, finally it should be a few layers of mat and cloth, or even a layer of roving. But on my C Dory 25, there were areas which were just one layer of mat--and then gelcoat.

My suspicion is that what you are seeing is the end grain balsa. However, the red stripes are a little puzzling to me. Can you easily stick a tooth pick or even an ice pick into the wood? Is the wood wet?

There aren't any stringers in the bottom of a C Dory 22. It is also possible that there is clear resin, and a layer of mat and cloth--and that the bottom was gel coat/paint which did not adhere well.

First we need to find out what the composition is--and then probably you will need to add another layer, and re-paint. You might even consider truck bed liner as the finish coat for the cockpit. It is essential that the wood be sealed.

BrentB · Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 2:45 pm Post subject:

Maybe you can remove more of the paint or gelcoat from the area and post addtl pics
best

cruiserlessvinny · Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 3:52 pm Post subject: delamination

Not so sure this is delamination. It looks more like the gel-coat is flaking. Delamination typically describes a situation where the composite mat layers are separating or the entire composite assembly is separating from the substrate to which it was applied. Flaking is more cosmetic than de-lamination.
cruiserlessvinny