Wayfarer with delaminated foredeck

[ent228]

Someone has given our club a Glass fiber Mark 2 Wayfarer, mostly in sound condition given the age.

The only issue is the foredeck which is foam sandwich, the top layer is now completely free of the foam which still seems attached to the lower layer.

The boat will be used from a mooring so eventually someone will use the foredeck and despite the "no step" stickers that will be fitted may go through it. So it will have to be repaired.

Any ideas of the best way forward given that we are likely to keep the boat for a few years?

[JimC]

Any ideas of the best way forward given that we are likely to keep the boat for a few years?

Take off the old glass, carefully round the edges, dry very thoroughly and apply new I should have thought... But how much is delaminated? What's it like round the edges? Have a read of this: http://www.uk-cherub.org/doku.php/tech/core_repair. To be honest I'd be mildly surprised if the core was in good condition unless it was *very* badly made. If its really cruddy you might find it easier to rip the whole foredeck off and replace with plywood unless you are very familiar with the materials.

[Mike Bridgwater]

I have done this repair on a balsa core yacht deck. Using a thin slitting disc on a grinder, cut off the whole foredeck, dry out the bit you've cut off, dry the foam, repair any areas you think need it (can use expanding polyurethane foam and sand flush), replace the cut out bit with lots of thickened epoxy. You will then need to tidy up, sand and fair in the edge where you've cut it and then paint it.
Not too time consuming and a lot easier with foam than balsa!

[Rupert]

I've done similar with areas of laser deck. Good luck!

[ent228]

Lovely,

Thanks for the replies, the entire deck has delaminated upto about 2" from the gunwale, so I think you are right cutting the top layer off, cleaning it all up and rebonding would be best. I'll add some extra support beams as well as there is almost nothing underneath......frankly I'm not suprised it gave up, the area is large and one heavy footed adult would really test it. The whole deck was only 15mm thick.

[JimC]

The whole deck was only 15mm thick.

I would hope that a 15mm foam deck ought to stand up without beams underneath... (given suitable fibre spec)

[jpa_wfsc]

Is it actualy a core sandwich? If the top layer has de-bonded the bottom will also? If it has then remaking a new deck seems to be needed.

There is a foam core specialist at Whitefriars - Rupert, can you remind us of his name and business name?

[Rupert]

Do you mean Nigel Potter? Don't know his trading name. Not Paint craft, despite the name!