balsa core rot: need advice

N

nimrod

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C Dory Year
1996
C Dory Model
22 Cruiser
Hull Identification Number
DOR22728A696
Vessel Name
'Berta's Boy
I have the dreaded rotten balsa core from a poorly sealed bilge sump and improperly sealed bilge cover screw holes. The affected area is around the bilge pump near the cabin door.

I need advice on the following:

Do I need to expose and remove every last trace of rotten balsa? Or can I just try to dry it out using some sort of desiccant and/or heat?

From previous posts, I gather that the void can be filled with thickened epoxy and closed cell foam, is that correct?

thanks

jd
 
You need not worry too much, Stop the H2O intrusion and you can use this advice;

It depends on your I.R.W.O.M.B . ratio or "index", as compared to your I. R. B. B.Index
I like the word index mixed with acronyms ..
I'd rather Work on my Boat.
I'd rather Be Boating .

Buy a boat dealership if you want to work on boats and immerse ad continuum,
Be a boater if you love boating and the fun it represents .
Or do a little of both as often seen in the C-Brat family .
C - Dory boats should be enjoyed either way. They wont sink.
My .50% [negotiable] of a dollar.
Marc
 
Thanks Marc, that helps. A lot.

jd
 
I always use a little regular Prestone antifreeze, as it kills rot!
I dry it, use acetone, add antifreeze, dry again and then fill and seal.
Roger
 
I would personally want to route out all the rotten balsa. If it's an area around the bilge pump, perhaps it's not a giant widespread area that is affected. Thickened epoxy resin would make it stronger than new. Just be careful your efforts do not go through the skin in the bottom of the hull.
 
If it hasn't got to big you could check out CPES from the Rot Doctor. It can be injected into the core and when it hardens kills the rot. Here is their site http://www.rotdoctor.com/ it will soak into the rot and harden.
 
I used the RotDoctors penetrating epoxy on my 1989 C-Dory. It works very well. I first used a bent paper clip in the screw holes to see how far the rot went, (not far) and pulled out small pieces of old balsa. Then I flared out the fiberglass with a counter sink. I used a syringe to fill the holes with the epoxy. I did this in the winter, so I heated the area a bit so the epoxy would flow better, and cure faster. After it dried, I the filled the remaining concave depression with epoxy with a bit of filler added, then sanded and painted.
You will be boating in no time. Heck, you could do while boating! I.R.B.B.

Robbi
 
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