Brian_Burk
New Member
Hi all, looking for some wisdom for a new owner of a 1978 Morgan 382. Trying to figure out the root problem and what corrective action may look like.
After researching anchor lockers on the forum, it appears the lower anchor locker was opened up and a divider was installed separating the chain for the two anchors the boat has on the bow rollers. The dividing board is glassed in and forms a 'T', one board is oriented forward/aft and the other board runs parallel with the forward bulkhead and blocks the opening to the chain locker in the v-berth. The board that runs along the bulkhead as part of the divider system clearly has rot as it appears water had been getting in. My guess is that water was dripping in just below where an inner forestay was installed as the location seems inline where the most rot is found. Maybe the glassing there had failed and allowed water to drip down? What gives me hope is that when tapping on the actual bulkhead from inside the v-berth, all areas seem solid with no variation in sound. I tend to believe the only rot is in this divider system board and not the actual bulkhead. The dividing board that runs parallel to the bulkhead also sounds solid when tapping from the anchor locker side, but I assume this is because it is glassed in.
My thought is that the presumed leak at the inner forestay needs to be sealed and the rotten wood removed. To do this, would you recommend removing the rotted wood from the v-berth opening and filling the voids with a filler as not all areas are rotted? Should the entire divider system be removed and the anchor locker re-fiberglassed? I am interested in hearing thoughts.
Thanks in advance!
After researching anchor lockers on the forum, it appears the lower anchor locker was opened up and a divider was installed separating the chain for the two anchors the boat has on the bow rollers. The dividing board is glassed in and forms a 'T', one board is oriented forward/aft and the other board runs parallel with the forward bulkhead and blocks the opening to the chain locker in the v-berth. The board that runs along the bulkhead as part of the divider system clearly has rot as it appears water had been getting in. My guess is that water was dripping in just below where an inner forestay was installed as the location seems inline where the most rot is found. Maybe the glassing there had failed and allowed water to drip down? What gives me hope is that when tapping on the actual bulkhead from inside the v-berth, all areas seem solid with no variation in sound. I tend to believe the only rot is in this divider system board and not the actual bulkhead. The dividing board that runs parallel to the bulkhead also sounds solid when tapping from the anchor locker side, but I assume this is because it is glassed in.
My thought is that the presumed leak at the inner forestay needs to be sealed and the rotten wood removed. To do this, would you recommend removing the rotted wood from the v-berth opening and filling the voids with a filler as not all areas are rotted? Should the entire divider system be removed and the anchor locker re-fiberglassed? I am interested in hearing thoughts.
Thanks in advance!