After cabin sole

[Ronar M]

Hi All
We have spent a good deal of time this winter on cleaning up Ronar M’s after cabin. As I understand is the case with many Nic 38s, the bottom of the furniture where it meets the inside of the hull was stained by water damage though the wood is still sound. The cabin sole was also in a similar state. We made sure the small gap under the sloping part of the sole is clear of debris so that any water coming down the slope from the lazarette could drain away (though some collects on the small fibreglass shelf underneath despite cutting a channel through it’s forward end). We rubbed down all this woodwork and stripped the cabin sole with paint stripper and then re-varnished. It all looks a lot better (even ‘good’ in fact)and I have made some ‘skirting boards’ to screw on over the most stubborn stains on the furniture. Now my question. Has anyone tried to seal the small gap between the cabin sole (and especially its end grain) and the inside of the hull? I am thinking of doing this to prevent the ingress of water into the plywood of the sole but recognise that any condensation from the inside of the hull would then run over the surface of the sole instead of slipping down that very narrow gap and into the bilges. Any experiences and advice welcome. Trevor

[michael bennett]

Hello Trevor,

Just seen this post from 03/11! have you tried sealing the edges yet?

I do not seem to get water from the side of the hull, (my aft cabin does not have a head in it which I prefer) but I do get some from under the aft access to the lazarette, down the slope similar to you, some I found was from a leaking gland on the rudder stock which stopped following a tighten with stilsons.
I have a loose piece of varnished plywood which fits over the gap of the sloping area from the lazerette, I intend to fit a small strip across to retain it in place when like you I get around to revarnishing the floor, which is in very good condition, as is the varnish of the rest of the woodwork.

Best wishes

Mike

The hull showing is still a fawn fiberglass finish, have you painted or varnished yours?

[Arild Jaeger]

Mike,

I had to look up the word “fawn” in the dictionary, and if I understand correctly, the white gelcoat has become brownish. This is what had happened to my Nic 38 from 1968. I found that the gelcoat was thick enough to sand it down to its original white colour and then polish it to “good as new” colour and gloss. I used a tough 36 grit paper on an oscillating machine to get the job done – and then finer papers all the way up to 1200 paper before using a rotating rubbing machine with 1500 paste before applying wax by hand.

I realise this thread was about something else, but I couldn’t resist commenting.

Kind regards,
Arild

[michael bennett]

Arild,

Yes your understanding is correct, the gelcoat has become brownish, the PO had partly varnished to match the flooring, going to get to it after some of the other more pressing (two window replacements) when I get back next month, plus fitting an inner forestay.
Sounds like you spent lots time getting the GRP to the finish you wanted.

Best wishes

Mike

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