The Whole FAMILY is hard at keeping water out [E350]
September 28, 2025 · 17 min · 587 views · Florida
What this video covers
Hauled out in Florida in December, the crew of Wildly Intrepid tackles a backlog of hull and deck repairs while managing two young children aboard.
The most persistent problem is window leaking. A previously attempted fix using 3M VHB tape and auto glass adhesive failed because the windows flex too much at their ends; the solution is to reinstall the original fasteners alongside the tape.8:55 One window is resealed with Dowseal and holding; the other is being redone for the third time.10:35 The anchor locker had failed coring at the bow, which Alex reglassed entirely from the inside, then pulled peel ply to leave a stronger laminate.9:49 The windlass was disassembled and regreased after stiffness indicated insufficient lubrication.9:33 A new cutlass bearing was pressed into the strut, and thickened epoxy was bedded beneath the strut before bolting to eliminate play.11:34 The rudder fitting required extensive fiberglass grinding to position correctly; thickened epoxy will be packed into the bolt holes and waxed before final assembly.12:11 Barnacle divots and early blistering appeared only in the blue gelcoat along the waterline; Alex sanded them out and filled with micro balloons.12:57 The prop was cleaned with muriatic acid to remove growth without heavy scratching, and anchor chain was painted with cold galvanizing compound as a stopgap before proper re-galvanization.14:45 3M VHB tape alone cannot seal a flexible window panel — original mechanical fasteners must be retained.11:15
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