New C-Dory Owner

S

SaturdaySchool

New member
Hello!
My name is Connor. I’m about 2 months into being a not too proud 22 cruiser owner. Really like the boat and how it functions for the family and I. Just disappointed in the condition of the particular boat I bought. Which is 100% my own fault.
Anyways I just wanted to say hello and thank you for making all the information here available to those of us that have no idea what they are doing and are in way over their head.
 
Connor, congratulations on the purchase of your 22 Cruiser. Sounds like there may be some corrective issues that may need to be addressed but welcome to C-Brats and the ownership of a C-Dory. Personally, we have found that in using our C-Dory, it is the best overall boat purchase that can be made. Is there anything we can do for you to make your purchase even better?
 
Thanks Daybreak,
Right now I’m just trying to figure out how to get consistent results with epoxy. I have the port tank removed and all the penetrations into the core drilled out. Some holes are up to 2” hole saw. I seam to be getting a lot of bubbles when the epoxy goes off.
Using west systems 105 with the 205 hardener will go with the slower hardener next time. Using the 406 filler and have had mixed results. I think mostly temperature related.
I am living on the boat 3 nights a week for work out of town. Been trying to use my time anyway from home to get the boat in shape.
 
Welcome aboard! I like to use cabosil (the 406 filler) with an equal amount of the Microlite filler or low density filler (410 or 407). I use tongue blades and mix to the consistency of peanut butter. Yes, if you are filling 2" holes you want to use a slower harder. What is the ambient temperature you are working with? How much are you mixing at a time? You can also put the epoxy as it is mixed in a bath of cool or ice water to slow the catalytic action if using a more rapid harder. You don't want to mix any more than you will use in a few minutes.

Are you drilling out with a hole saw? What condition is the core in? You want to coat the core at the periphery of the area being filled with neat epoxy. I usually brush this in and then put in the fillers and then use the same batch to fill with.

Good on doing the repairs, but you are in prime time, and good to use the boat now and then "off season" after you have a little more experience in this specific boat prioritize repairs to do during the "winter"
 
The boat is on the water fully exposed to the sun so the temperature is always changing it’s been as hot as 90 and this morning was in the high 30s. Mixing smaller batches in 10oz cups using popsicle sticks to mix and apply. 5 pumps with the mini pump set is the most I have done. Using a hole saw and then used a cedar plug. I’ll have to try the ice weather on the hotter days. Had some decent results with doing some in the morning while everything is cooler.
The core has been as bad as just black mush to soft wet wood.
I just mixed a batch much thicker and I think that helped a lot in regards to the bubbles.
Neat epoxy as in no additive correct? I did do that and ended with some in the bottom of the hole. Is that a problem?

I like you point about timing. Will have to keep that in perspective. It has worked out well with sleeping on the boat during the work week so I’m not taking away time from the family to work on it. An so the repairs haven’t interfered with any camping and fishing trips.
 
Yes neat epoxy has no additives. Are you removing all of the damaged core?

Although epoxy resin will cure in the presence of water, for a proper repair one should replace all of the damaged Core.
 
Thanks. Ya I have been drilling and using the Allen wrench in a dill method to get any rot out. Then drilling bigger or another hole if I can’t reach solid wood.
 
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