Living For Sail · video

What this video covers

Removing rotten deck core on the 40-foot sailboat *Antidote* requires stripping hardware, including the anchor locker hatch, windlass wiring, and teak trim rings.1:18 To access the core, use a Phillips number three bit to avoid stripping screw heads; if a screw strips, apply a chemical debonding agent like Marine D-Bond to the perimeter and allow it to sit for 24 hours before prying the trim.6:04

The deck construction transitions from plywood to balsa core near the forward bulkhead.8:54 While saturated plywood often loses structural integrity and separates easily, water-logged balsa can maintain high peel strength, making it significantly more difficult to remove from the fiberglass skin.17:01 Use a hammer drill and chisel to break the fiberglass-to-balsa bond, working in small sections to minimize damage to the remaining laminate.13:14 Even when balsa appears dry on the surface, it often remains saturated underneath.10:55 Proper fastener selection and sealing are critical to preventing future water intrusion at hatch openings.

Boats in this video

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