Re: [Paddlewise] Separating coaming from cockpit

From: Dave Kruger <kdruger_at_pacifier.com>
Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2004 20:39:30 -0800
"Evan Dallas" <evand_at_pensionresourcegroup.com> wrote:

>> I've got an old Eddyline Calypso with a cracked fiberglass seat bottom.
[snip] to fix it right, I need to remove the seat.  The problem is that the
seat bottom, seat sides and
coaming are all one piece, so the only way to take it out would be to
separate the coaming from the cockpit (or saw through the sides, then patch
them back together again.>>

Evan, I have dealt with problems similar to this in a Wind Dancer.  The
seat/coaming assembly is all one piece.  You have two choices:

1. Use a hammer and chisel and elbow grease to chip out all the old filler
that 'adheres' the assembly to the deck.  Remove the assembly and patch the
split, using a couple layers of 6 oz glass and __epoxy__ on the __bottom__ of
the seat to hold it together.  Maybe some roving, too.  Reattach the
coaming/seat assembly to the deck, using glass/epoxy.  This is an awful
job -- been there, done that.  2. is easier.

2. Cut the seat from the coaming about halfway down the tangs that connect
the two.  Patch the seat as above, and then use a piece of 1/8 inch
polycarbonate sheet and some SS hardware (flathead machine screws, finishing
washers, blind nuts) on each side to reattach the seat to the tangs.  If you
want, I'll send you a photo of a similar job I did on my Wind Dancer.

It is critical to use epoxy and to prepare the surfaces well.  Polyester
resin is a terrible adhesive compared to epoxy ... speaking from personal
experience.

--
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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Received on Tue Mar 30 2004 - 20:39:36 PST

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