Sailing Catalpa · video

What this video covers

Water ingress through an improperly sealed emergency tiller outlet caused localized rot in the balsa core of the Catalpa deck. The repair required cutting out the damaged section with an oscillating tool, excavating the wet core back to solid timber, and installing a G10 board reinforced with thickened epoxy. To prevent future rot, the repair created an epoxy-sealed perimeter around the opening, ensuring that any future fastener leaks would not reach the core. The crew also addressed a separate leak in the gas locker caused by degraded sealant around the gas line and solenoid wiring. They replaced the cracked gas line, resealed the locker penetrations, and treated residual mold on the interior ceiling with a mixture of vinegar and clove oil. Proper sealing of deck penetrations with epoxy or appropriate sealant prevents core saturation and structural degradation.

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