Bummer! My 2023 WB tank has not been 'glassed!

Posted By: Gary, Santana 2023A, Milwaukee
Date: 4/10/08 12:15p.m.

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I picked up a 4" diameter deck plate, then cut the hole through the sole, forward, aft of the mast support. Fully expected to see the tank had been done but, alas, this was not the case. I have the discolored wood, aged and 'weathered' look to it, but everything seems structurally sound yet. I can see where the resin POURED over the mast support plate has peeled back, exposing the wood. Pulled out a 1/2" thick piece from between the two 2 x 4's, you know, this pocket formed by the baffle sandwiched between them? Anyway, what a nuisance. Do it now, or do it in the fall, is the question I'm asking myself. Went to your site, George, wanting to take another gander at Rudy and Seth's repairs. Have you by any chance removed some of their steps taken, or info write up? Seems like I saw a lot more provided info on someone's site... although perhaps that was something (Seth?) emailed me direct a few years back. Anyway, I'm also debating the pro's and con's of simply removing the fore part of the sole, game plan to simply do the FRONT of the tank this spring, so as to not cut into sailing time. BUT... yeah. In any event, whenever I do it, I strongly suspect that I will simply remove the OEM wood, such as the lower mast support PLATE, the 2 x 4's, etc. Replace with new 'green treated' wood, and totally encase them in fiberglass cloth, then replace. That would also allow me to use 'fillets' across the forward bulkhead. In fact, just to make things easier (and quicker) on me, I may even elect to simply cover the existing bulkheads with a very thin layer of ply (delete a lot of sanding time), then simply 'glass it in place. QUESTION: how's the bottom mast support plate (2x8? 2x10?) held in place? It certainly appears to have been simply laid in place, then fiberglassed in place along it's 2" (i.e. 1.5") dimensions. Is that the case? I'll have the thing (treated wood) totally encased in 'glass cloth before replacing, fore, aft, top, bottom, sides, etc, same as the 2 x 4's, baffles, etc). The real pain appears to be glassing the bottom of the sole edges, while I expect that I could 'glass the under-sole 'proper' prior to replacing/closing the tank. To 'glass now, or 'glass later. Damn.