Fairing Flat Spot on Glass Hull

[alan white]

Good luck, BobBill. Sounds like you are ready to go.

[catenahalf]

Bob,

Sorry to change the subject here...

But, I have a Kite I'm trying to take apart. I'm afraid of breaking the boat up in the process.

Most of the deck/hull connection was compromised and separating it there went really fast. But getting the deck separated from the internal stiffener seems impossible, to me.

Whoever built my particular model made the bow end of the stiffener (all I can see at this point) a horizontal pan heavily bonded at the hull sides; it includes a hole in which the deck shaped mast base socket fits. Well, it had 1.5" of goop all around it's connection to the stiffener and after trying to break it out with a sharpened pipe I simply cut the mast socket, from the deck side just above the goop line. Hoping the rest of the deck would come loose.

Unfortunately, even with an 8 ft. lever at the bow stem prying up the deck, it still won't separate short of having someone sit on the transom. I haven't tried that yet, I'm just bouncing the stern off the ground with my leverage.

I'm almost ready to repair my cut, button her up and live with the soft spots in both the hull and deck.

How did you get yours apart???

Dan

[BobBill]

Pics would be great help. Here is site with lots of pics of separation and they seem to have had little trouble lifting deck from hull.

http://picasaweb.google.com/dan18keen/KiteAbbey#

There were at least 4 builders, and it appears they all did it a bit differently with the internals.

I am using a Craftsman (Fein) vibrating type tool to remove the poly in the deck/hull seam and have not got the the separation point yet. Was guessing the dagger board case would be the stumbling block, but will see.

I plan to install 4 inspection ports in the deck and perhaps if you do the prep work (holes) that will give you an advantage in the forward area separation. That is my plan at this point.

Pics are best...

[BobBill]

By the way, when I sanded off the Gel on the bottom, I found that the matrix of glass in the flat spots was a bit compromised, so decided to reglass with epoxy and fair it...I got the glass from here, instead of West: http://www.shopmaninc.com/index.html

The flexy areas were along side the dagger board slot and behind, and I will stiffen with epoxy and light glass.

Then I will flip and split the hull and clean the junk out and clean and reinforce lightly from inside at rear of dagger board box abeam, but not too much. Then will cut four access ports and make sure all fastener backings are sound and will hold.

Add a bow ring, and stick in some pool noodles for flotation and off to the water. Deck and rudder will do next spring.

BTW, all gel cracks were superficial on my boat.

What is your sail number?

Will put up some pics later.