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From: shaun_--_ (Original Message) Sent: 08/01/2009 13:43
Hi All,

There's a few unused rusty seacocks on my boat that have been bunged up. When i haul her out , I'd like to rip out these seacocks & permanently seal over the holes.
How do i go about this?

I am handy(carpenter), but know nothing about fibreglassing(but would like to learn), or is it a job best left to a shipwright?

Cheers
Shaun
"Night Cap"



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From: AurigaM3 Sent: 08/01/2009 15:19
Shaun,

Fibreglassing would be the best (probably only) way to do the job right, as you're unfamiliar with glassing id suggest leaving it to a shipwright, given that its below waterline and needs to be done 100% right.

Alternatively, it may be cheaper/easier to just replace the seacocks, you may need them in the future and wont have to redrill

dan

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From: nswsailor Sent: 09/01/2009 01:43
Shaun,
This a job for the experts, in our case Paul *****.

I used him to close up all the unused underwater fittings in SEAKA,
as this is not the job I would want to fail sometime in the future at sea!

When you get NIGHTCAP to the river I will give you his contact details.

Phillip
SEAKA

Hi,
My first attempt at going up on the slipway was postponed due to poor weather, i had organised a shipwright (Paul, as recommended), but he was unavailable when i actually went up, so i was forced to learn & do the fibreglassing myself .
Epoxy & 10 oz cloth was chosen, I downloaded the instruction manuals for "fgi" epoxy & the "west system" & researched on the internet, including the big forum sites cruisersforum & sailnet.
At first i was hesitant about grinding into the hull with a grinder, but once i'd started it was very obvious why this is needed (to give a much larger bonding surface area, & to allow you to fair the job neatly).I followed the instruction procedures in the manuals, i found the work fun (but dusty) & very, very satisfiying, also using epoxy is more predictable & easier than using the 2-part 'builders bog', i sometimes use at work.
Once i'd faired the patch & primed/antifouled it, you could not see where the old seacocks were, but you'll have to take my word for that because i forgot to take 'after' photos, bugger!
If anyone else is thinking about a similar project, it's defineatly a "do-able" job, im glad i did, after id looked at the old removed seacocks, the ball in them had rusted away on most of them & it was just a wooden bung in the end of a piece of hose keeping the boat afloat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Est2rS0ZDrk
after i'd taken this video, i grinded the area around each hole slightly larger, only by another 10mm or so.
cheers