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Evidence of a long ago fire..

This is the current state of affairs on board. In the process of evicting the termites it became clear that even the head enclosure had to be removed. This bathroom was built strong enough to be a bomb shelter !
 
On the left is the head portlight. The white frame is what remains of the head. Of interest is the black smoke damage on the left and the clean fibreglass on the right. It appears the entire foredeck was replaced as well as the head enclosure. In this pic you can see metal plates used to secure the seam of the new foredeck in the process.

That is a major job ! I'm guessing in would have been done back at the factory.
 
Maybe they had to cut the foredeck out to replace the head enclosure? I can't imagine that kind of fire damage without extensively damaging the head. The structure around the mast step and bulkhead of the head were part of a recall on very early models. The area is under a lot of stress and there was deformation from the tension on the shrouds. If I understand correctly, it affected the door to the head not closing, and some extra tabbing or changes to the bulkhead that the portside forward shroud attaches. So be sure that area is rebuilt very stoutly. I would love to see pictures of those structures. They are not detailed on the drawings I have, so it is somewhat a mystery how it is all engineered. Supposedly there is a gap between the mast step and the keel, and that area filled with some sort of filler.
 
Dave

Looking at the photos you have posted makes my stomach turn over. Having to do battle with termites is a horror in and of itself, but completely having to rebuild the total interior of the boat is beyond my comprehension. If I may be so curious, what is your budget for the completion of the project? As a service to the rest of us not-so-bold owners, if you could take and post more photos of the areas of the boat that we will never have access to? I think most of us will appreciate that. Thanks and good luck with the project.

Jim
 
Dave

Looking at the photos you have posted makes my stomach turn over. Having to do battle with termites is a horror in and of itself, but completely having to rebuild the total interior of the boat is beyond my comprehension. If I may be so curious, what is your budget for the completion of the project? As a service to the rest of us not-so-bold owners, if you could take and post more photos of the areas of the boat that we will never have access to? I think most of us will appreciate that. Thanks and good luck with the project.

Jim
Yes... It was never expected to be this way. The termites were much worse than I have ever seen. We are in Bocas del Toro Panama and the hardwoods here are between 1 and 2 dollars per Sq. Ft. Spanish cedro, teak, and nisparo are all available well aged. That was one of our motivations. Budget wise we'll see how far we get with 1k dollars of wood and 5 gallons of epoxy.
 
Dave

I guess geography has a lot to do with budgets. Up here in New York, teak is in the neighborhood of $30 per board foot. Your project up here would be impossible to complete.

If you get a chance, a few photos of the area around the mast step and forward up under where the head enclosure sat would be wonderful. All of us here on the board will be watching your progress with anticipation. Again, best of luck.

Jim
 
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