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Steve Abbott
Oct 10, 2008 - 12:23PM
Cockpit coamings
I don't know whether I'm talking about an original feature, or something that a previous owner has added, but my boat has a "capping" of bent and shaped plywood on the cockpit lip, running the full length, fore and aft of the sheet winches pedastals. With age and waether, the plywood is de-laminating, and starting to look tatty.
So - two questions: is this an original feature - in which case it could presumably be removed, with no detriment. Secondly, has anyone replaced/fitted a similar "capping", and if so, in what material, and how was it made and shaped (I'm not sure that my woodworking skills would be up to the job, so would be happy to buy pre-made from an expert).
Looking forward - with thanks - to your help and opinions.
SeaDog Name (if owner or crew) Arethusa
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Graham
Oct 10, 2008 - 12:56PM
Re: Cockpit coamings
Hi Steve,
Can confirm that this is an original feature. Never been quite sure whether on Dougal it is plywood or solid timber. The edges have broken away in a few places. Yes it is a specialist job, I know that the previous owner of Salia did replace his, with help from his trained shipwright son. We have just kept rubbing down and varnishing!
I don't think removal is an option, it would leave exposed edges.
Graham
SeaDog Name (if owner or crew) Dougal
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Eric Richardson
Oct 10, 2008 - 2:25PM
Re: Cockpit coamings
Hi Steve
Having a busy day!!! Yes I replaced these on Taliesin, not much of a carpenter so it was a learning curve.
You remove the winches first, then dig out the plugs and remove the fastening screws, the ply then comes away.
I then carefully cut a piece of old ply to fit the length between the end points. by trial and error i the cut along the edge untill it sat down on the glass fibre moulding following the curve. this gave me a pattern of the curve.
The next job was to make a very strong board up, I used a 6"x2" oak base and glued and screwed wooden packers down every 3" apart cut so that my pattern just sat on the packers.
The new timbers were made from 5/8" thick Iroko cut to a length which allowed for the bend. I made a steaming box and used a B&Q wallpaper steam stripper as the source of steam and left them to steam for several hours, then quickly removed them from the steamer and used a good number of clamps the make them sit on the bending frame.
You need to put a bit of wood between the clamps and your finished timbers otherwise the clamps sink into the softened timber and leave dents, I spoilt one this way before I got it right. It makes a big improvement in the looks of the cockpit. Note I bedded them on Sikaflex but forget the number.
If you wish to talk about it give me aring.
Regards Eric
SeaDog Name (if owner or crew) Ex Taliesin
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Graham
Oct 10, 2008 - 3:23PM
Re: Re: Cockpit coamings
Hi Eric,
Matter of interest, did the same pattern and template work for both sides? I dont suppose you kept the solid board and blocks?
Graham
SeaDog Name (if owner or crew) Dougal
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Eric Richardson
Oct 10, 2008 - 6:31PM
Re: Cockpit coamings
Graham
The two sides were a little different, but the bend profile was near enough, once I had the boards bent I clamped them in position then marked the cutting profile out by using a pencil on the underside and followed the contours of the glass fibre.
Leave them a fraction long, as I cut dead length and forgot that the top is longer than the bottom due to the curve. Only cut after bending.
Eric
SeaDog Name (if owner or crew) Ex Taliesin
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Graham
Oct 10, 2008 - 7:02PM
Re: Re: Cockpit coamings
Thanks Eric,
I may take that job on sometime, but not this year. Is it OK with you if I put the question and your replies together and email to Gordon Keir for the next journal?
Graham
SeaDog Name (if owner or crew) Dougal
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Eric Richardson
Oct 11, 2008 - 6:21PM
Re: Cockpit coamings
Hi Graham
Yes thats no problem, if Gordon wants to use it I may be able to expand it a bit for clarity.
Regards Eric
SeaDog Name (if owner or crew) Ex Taliesin
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Gordon Keir
Oct 20, 2008 - 7:41PM
Re: Cockpit coamings
Eric
Yes Please - I think this would make a good tech item for the next Seadog journal.
SeaDog Name (if owner or crew) TARRY
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Graham
Oct 20, 2008 - 8:16PM
Re: Re: Cockpit coamings
Hi Gordon,
I haven't found time to do this yet, it would probably be better if Eric does the whole thing, if he has time.
cheers to you both
Graham
SeaDog Name (if owner or crew) Dougal
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Eric Richardson
Oct 24, 2008 - 8:57AM
Re: Cockpit coamings
Hi Graham and Gordon
I have done a few notes and emailed them to you.
Regards Eric
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