deck recore

[triton 496]

Well to start I am in the process of a deck recore job on my Pearson Triton, the port side is ready for new fiberglass cloth to be installed or just reuse the old pices that I cut out. The thing here is that in the process of removing the deck some damaged occurred where some of the laminate was ripped off the deck skins. Also for some reason or other they sit a little higher to the adjoning rail and cabin edges. Should I abandon using the old deck skins or go with a new lay-up of fiberglass cloth. If I should go with the fiberglass cloth what type do I use? Some good advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Tim]

I'd suggest, with the benefit of experience, that new material makes the most sense, doesn't take any longer, costs little more, and makes for a better job in the end.

Use a modern, strong, woven fabric such as 1708 (45° biaxial weave) or 1808 (90° weave) and epoxy resin; these are the most common, but there are others. You'll need to roughly match the thickness of the old top skin, which varies from boat to boat, but I recently found that 2 layers of this material was equivalent in thickness to an old Triton topskin, or about 3/16". Note that this material builds about 3/32" with each layer, so you can estimate the layers required from that.

I've said it elsewhere before, but I'd never again choose to reuse old skins for a recore.

[triton 496]

Hi Tim, Thanks for the expert advice, I will go with the new 1708 biaxail cloth! I think it will also eleminate the problems of bonding the old skins with weights that might deform the shape of the deck. More money yes, but a stronger, safer bond will bring peace of mind come splash day and that is a long ways off.