Swim Platform Delamination

[tpenfield]

Yea, so I noticed a 'squishy' noise as I walked across the swim platform on my new-to-me Formula 330. Upon further investigation, it seems that the platform is delaminating from its core material (presumably plywood).

So, I did my hammer soundings and drew a pencil outline of the effected areas, which were fairly large as you can see in the images below. So, inside the pencil boundaries the hammer bounces, outside of the area, it is solid.

. . .



Access from below is limited to about 3" of space , but visually it looks OK.

The platform does not feel soft or anything like that when I walk on it, but I may as well take care of it now, because it is not going to get any better. . .

Sooo, I wanted to bounce my game plan around here to get any thoughts and ideas before I begin to fix it.

My plan is to make a few pattern samples of the platform texture with some resin. Then drill a few 1" core holes in the effected areas to see if it is wet or dry. Hopefully it will be dry . . . there does not appear to be any problems with the platform that would let water in, etc.

Then I will probably fill the effected areas with penetrating epoxy via the core holes . . . slap some weight on it and let it set. Then re-glecot the core holes using the texture patterns that I made.

I would add that I had a similar issue with my sailboat , but a much smaller area. I fixed it in a similar way.

T.I.A for your comments and ideas.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Swim Platform Delamination

If the wood is dry, your plan should work well... if it's wet, you've got a lot of work to do.

Don't you just hate buying someone else's problems?

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Swim Platform Delamination

Don't you just hate buying someone else's problems?

Well, there is more 'right' with this boat that there is 'wrong' with it . . . so, no, I don't mind making it right.

The interesting thing is that this boat seems to be at a turning point regarding some issues that have not been addressed. If I fix them now, the boat should have good longevity . . . if not fixed, it will make for one heck of a good restoration thread in about 5 years :facepalm:

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Swim Platform Delamination

My suggestion is to carefully cut the entire surface around the perimeter of the textured section with a very thin kerf saw blade set really shallow or a dremel tool with cut-off wheels, and try to remove it as one complete piece...repair whatever damage you find underneath, then re-apply the entire top piece with PB...this way you don't need to make a pattern or worry about matching the core holes and you should only have to make a minor repair along the seam...

Just my 2?...:redface:

Best of Luck...

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Swim Platform Delamination

I would investigate this core with a small drill bit ( 1/8" ).

If you find that it is just a delam and not a core problem then you can inject resin into those little holes with a syringe.

If you do find rot in your wood ( probably end grain balsa core ) then you would cut out your fiberglass from the top and recore.

YD.