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How to address soft wood

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Jim Godlewski
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How to address soft wood

Post by Jim Godlewski » Sat Jul 02, 2016 6:39 pm

Hello
I'm helping a friend restore a 1970 38 foot Connie. We noticed the forward plank screws below the waterline were not tightening down so off came the planks and inner ply for inspection. It's a bit soft where the leading screws go otherwise it seems pretty good. How do we address the soft wood so we can get a good bite on the screws for the new planks?
Thanks.
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1956 17 Sportsman CC-17-2310
1930 Model 100 7152

jbyers
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Re: How to address soft wood

Post by jbyers » Sat Jul 02, 2016 10:09 pm

Inject some CPES into the holes with a large syringe. Let it dry a few hours. (alternately you could drill out the soft wood back to solid wood). Then fill the holes with a structural filler such as Marine Tex and let it cure for a day. Drill a pilot hole into the marine tex with a drill bit slightly smaller than the screws and they should bite pretty strong. Marine Tex is water proof and strong enough to tap for screws as well if you need to.

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steve bunda
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Re: How to address soft wood

Post by steve bunda » Sun Jul 03, 2016 7:20 am

I think if you cut and chisel out all the soft and rotten wood, and then epoxy and screw in a new patch piece of wood . It will hold new fasteners and last longer.

boat_art
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Re: How to address soft wood

Post by boat_art » Sun Jul 03, 2016 3:01 pm

Im with Steve...put in a dutchman rather than packing in marine tex or anything else.
Tom
http://www.boatartgallery.com
1956 CC Connie 47'
1959 Caulkins bartender
1965 Cheoy Lee Frisco Flyer
1953 Chris Craft Holiday
1941 Chris Craft Deluxe
Plus 8-12 customer boats at any time
God don't count the days spent messing around in wood boats.

joanroy
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Re: How to address soft wood

Post by joanroy » Sun Jul 03, 2016 5:53 pm

As long as you have solid wood with just a slight bit of surface rot, you can peg the old screw holes and fasten with a little longer and maybe one size bigger bronze screws. Agree, if the rots deep, cut out and epoxy glue dutchman. Always pre-drill for new fasteners with the correct size tapered bit set to the correct depth to avoid splitting.

jfrprops
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Re: How to address soft wood

Post by jfrprops » Tue Jul 05, 2016 8:06 am

can't add anything....advice above cover your choices. I like smith's fillit better than any other though.

John in Va.
1980 Fairchild Scout 30
19?? custom Argentine Runabout 16'
1954 Whirlwind deluxe dual ckpt 16'
1921 Old Town Charles River 17' (founding Captain, James River Batteau Festival)

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Jim Godlewski
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Re: How to address soft wood

Post by Jim Godlewski » Sat Jul 09, 2016 5:26 pm

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I appreciate it.
1956 17 Sportsman CC-17-2310
1930 Model 100 7152

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