rebedding deck hardware... the moisture stays in!

[ferrailleur]

The surveyor detected some moisture around some deck hardware on the starboard side of the 85 Catalina 27 I'm buying.
OK: I can re bed myself the trouble areas.
But what about the existing moisture? It's not going to magically disappear. I'm just going to encapsulated it more!!!
Your thoughts

[Sailing Drummer]

Doing that on my boat! Drill holes on the underside of the side deck into the core - use a drill stop so you don't go all the way through to the deck! Then inject acetone into the holes. My surveyor suggested using a 6" grid for the holes. I'll leave it open for about 6 weeks and then inject cabisil/resin mixture into the holes. If you find rotten wood when you drill the holes you may have to cut away skin and core from the top and replace it. It can be done from the inside but it's awkward/difficult usually that way. Hopefully that won't be the case.

Larry

[drewm3i]

You can always inject foam for structural support. It also displaces moisture.

[rbk]

Use methyl hydrate in place of acetone. Don’t seal up underneath and as mentioned drill some holes. Re-bed with butyl, might take a few try’s on some trickier areas and check with a hose when done.

[hellosailor]

Foam absorbs some moisture as it cures, but not much. It will only displace moisture by pushing it further into the deck--and then sealing it in, leaving a problem to come. Better to get any moisture OUT before doing any sealing.

A little web searching will show how simple or extensive this can be and what the options are. West Systems Epoxy should have some videos up on this as well.

[AKA-None]

All of the wet damp core must come out

[Chotu]

Just do it right. Cut open one surface of the laminate (outside on deck) and keep going until all the wet core can be removed. Then use epoxy to bed new core in place, then glass it closed again also using epoxy.

[ferrailleur]

Originally Posted by Chotu

Just do it right. Cut open one surface of the laminate (outside on deck) and keep going until all the wet core can be removed. Then use epoxy to bed new core in place, then glass it closed again also using epoxy.

Don't know yet the extent of water ingress. The surveyor wasn't alarmed. I plan to drill holes underneath through the core (not through deck!) and insert Q-tips to see what's going on....
What about the wood hardener sold at Home Depot and elsewhere. It can be injected with a syringe from below.
My worry is to encapsulate the moisture.
Maybe I should not plug my drill holes in hope that the moisture will eventually evaporate in the cabin. It's nice to dream!

[Terra Nova]

Originally Posted by ferrailleur

...What about the wood hardener sold at Home Depot...

Please be serious.