Subject: MAIN Beam Repair
Date: Tue, 15 Jun 1999

Dear Dr. Rot,

I have a '69 Correct Craft "Barracuda" glass ski boat that has some rot in the main beams where the engine and transmission mounts are tied in with large lag bolts. These areas had been fairly well covered over in glass but the top layer has cracked and the wooden beams are getting a little soft. Got something I can use to stiffen up those beams and keep the old boat alive without resorting to major surgery?

Thanks, Brad P.

Brad,

Well, yes, there are things you can do, but it will mean taking the boat out of action for a bit.

You need to cut the glass off the tops of the beams, remove the lag bolts, and dry the wood. Make sure the wood is not oil-soaked. Next, after the wood is dry, you soak it all with CPES (Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer) a couple of times, allowing 3-4 days between applications. Drill access holes for the CPES if the rot is deep (over 2 inches). Fill any vacancies with Epoxy Filler. Now, where the lag bolts go in, shim that area with a combination of wood and Layup & Laminating Resin, or again using the L&L Resin push in a wood dowel. Re-drill the lag bolt holes (slightly smaller than the bolt), and then bolt everything down again. You're back in shape, ready to go.

You can re-glass over the beams again, if you wish. For strength purposes it really isn't necessary.

If the wood around the bolt holes is oil-soaked, you're going to have to cut it away and using L&L Epoxy put in new wood. Epoxy and oil do not mix.

Come back if you have additional questions.

Doc