Subject: Bow Sprit (rot)
Date: Mon, 28 Aug 2000

Hello,
There is so much great information in your site. I have really enjoyed reading about all those project boats. I really believe in stopping boat abuse.

Anyway, I didn't find the answer to my question, but, I bet you can answer it...
I have recently achieved my wildest dreams...I have purchased a 45ft Hardin sailboat. Generally, she is in great shape. She is fiberglass, teak decks, lots of teak trim etc. The problem it the bow sprit. It is of unknown wood, at least unknown to me. It has dry rot on the very end of where it secures to the deck. Fortunately it is a non weight bearing area and the repair is primarily cosmetic. It was painted or laminated white. That coating is all but gone. What should I use to straighten and stop the rot. Also, the uneven end will need to be filled and the whole thing re-coated.
Any help you could offer would be appreciated.

Thank you, Marca B.

Marca,

Well, congrats on the Hardin! They're nice designs, nice sailing boats. I envy you, having once been a long distance sailor.

As for the bow sprit...

Assuming that the rot can be reached from the top and the end, you probably need only to dry the wood. Apply CPES (Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer) generously to top/end and allow the wood to absorb all that it will. Give it a few days to vent away the solvents, and then go back with our Epoxy Filler and fill vacant spaces. Wait 24 hours and then sand smooth. Paint. That's it. Rot should be stopped and strength restored.

Only if the rot goes deep do you need to consider drilling access holes. If this is necessary, to so a about 3" intervals, inject the CPES until the wood will absorb no more, wait a few days, and then we'd recommend going back in with our Layup & Laminating Resin for larger space filling. Don't use any other resin. Ours is much slower setting (allowing it to settle into the wood), and will always retain a slight degree of flexibility, just what is needed for wood restoration.

Okay? Got more questions? Come on back. We'll help in any way we can.

Doc