RE: [Cal_Boats] Deck Construction

Hi, Bob. Almost all the CAL models had a plywood sandwich in the 60s, 70s. Thicker glas top, thin skin bottom. Take Care Charlie Annapolis From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Robert Andrew Sent: Thursday, July 11, 2013 1:43 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [External] [Cal_Boats] Deck Construction I was just reading the most recent issue of Seaworthy from BoatUS and there is an article on inspecting older sailboats. The section on deck construction and problems that can arise has the following statement: "Nearly all sailboats built in the 1980s or later have a deck comprised of a core made from balsa or some sort of composite material sandwiched between two fiberglass skins" Most of our Cals (mine included) were probably built in the 1970's I would think. What kind of deck construction was common during that era, and does anyone know what Jensen Marine was doing at the time? Bob Andrew Cal 39 Nereid

Thanks Charlie, so I guess older Cals would be subject to the same deck issues from water intrusion as newer boats? The article goes on to say, "Professionals use the handle of a screwdriver or small plastic hammer to tap on the deck, listening for signs of softness, something you can do as well. Pay careful attention to the area around fittings that penetrate the deck; a dull thud often signals a soft spot while a solid "thunk" usually means a healthy core". Guess I've got a tin ear because "dull thud" and "solid thunk" sound pretty much the same to me. All of my deck feels "solid" - no "squishiness" but the article did raise some concerns. Anyone out there with experience on this kind of thing? Bob Andrew Cal 39 Nereid On Thu, Jul 11, 2013 at 1:58 PM, Husar, Charlie [USA] (ASE) < hu… [at] bah.com> wrote: > ** > > > Hi, Bob. Almost all the CAL models had a plywood sandwich in the 60s, > 70s. Thicker glas top, thin skin bottom.**** > > ** ** > > Take Care**** > > Charlie **** > > Annapolis**** > > ** ** > > *From:* Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] *On > Behalf Of *Robert Andrew > *Sent:* Thursday, July 11, 2013 1:43 PM > *To:* Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com > *Subject:* [External] [Cal_Boats] Deck Construction**** > > ** ** > > > > > **** > > I was just reading the most recent issue of Seaworthy from BoatUS and > there is an article on inspecting older sailboats. The section on deck > construction and problems that can arise has the following statement:**** > > ** ** > > "Nearly all sailboats built in the 1980s or later have a deck comprised of > a core made from balsa or some sort of composite material sandwiched > between two fiberglass skins"**** > > ** ** > > Most of our Cals (mine included) were probably built in the 1970's I would > think. What kind of deck construction was common during that era, and does > anyone know what Jensen Marine was doing at the time? **** > > ** ** > > Bob Andrew**** > > Cal 39 Nereid **** > > > > > **** > > **** > > >

Sadly, Bob, that is true. Also, previous owners might not have been as good as they could be at mounting fittings and the like. I don't believe the original manuals for the boats said much about caulking points and how to mount hardware. If you can'r hear the thuds, just walk around. The water intrusion ultimately leads to softness. Thanks Charlie From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Robert Andrew Sent: Thursday, July 11, 2013 2:29 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [External] Re: [Cal_Boats] Deck Construction Thanks Charlie, so I guess older Cals would be subject to the same deck issues from water intrusion as newer boats? The article goes on to say, "Professionals use the handle of a screwdriver or small plastic hammer to tap on the deck, listening for signs of softness, something you can do as well. Pay careful attention to the area around fittings that penetrate the deck; a dull thud often signals a soft spot while a solid "thunk" usually means a healthy core". Guess I've got a tin ear because "dull thud" and "solid thunk" sound pretty much the same to me. All of my deck feels "solid" - no "squishiness" but the article did raise some concerns. Anyone out there with experience on this kind of thing? Bob Andrew Cal 39 Nereid On Thu, Jul 11, 2013 at 1:58 PM, Husar, Charlie [USA] (ASE) <hu… [at] bah.com<mailto:hu… [at] bah.com>> wrote: Hi, Bob. Almost all the CAL models had a plywood sandwich in the 60s, 70s. Thicker glas top, thin skin bottom. Take Care Charlie Annapolis From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com<mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com<mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of Robert Andrew Sent: Thursday, July 11, 2013 1:43 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com<mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> Subject: [External] [Cal_Boats] Deck Construction I was just reading the most recent issue of Seaworthy from BoatUS and there is an article on inspecting older sailboats. The section on deck construction and problems that can arise has the following statement: "Nearly all sailboats built in the 1980s or later have a deck comprised of a core made from balsa or some sort of composite material sandwiched between two fiberglass skins" Most of our Cals (mine included) were probably built in the 1970's I would think. What kind of deck construction was common during that era, and does anyone know what Jensen Marine was doing at the time? Bob Andrew Cal 39 Nereid

Marine Plywood core with a fiberglass skin top and bottom, at least on our old (1970) CAL 21, I think most if not all Jensen-built boats were the same. I actually still have 2 pieces of deck sitting here on my desk, scrap from installing a deck-fill (actually, deck-empty?) fitting for the holding tank and an anchor rode hawse fitting to feed the rode below to a locker. Now 43 years old and looking brand new! (Holding tank fitting installed in 1992, I forget when the other hole was drilled, but was after 1992). Rod Johnson, "SUNBIRD" 1979 O'DAY DS II Former co-owner of "NODROG" 1970 CAL 21 #285 On Thu, 11 Jul 2013 13:42:47 -0400 Robert Andrew <rh… [at] cornell.edu> writes: I was just reading the most recent issue of Seaworthy from BoatUS and there is an article on inspecting older sailboats. The section on deck construction and problems that can arise has the following statement: "Nearly all sailboats built in the 1980s or later have a deck comprised of a core made from balsa or some sort of composite material sandwiched between two fiberglass skins" Most of our Cals (mine included) were probably built in the 1970's I would think. What kind of deck construction was common during that era, and does anyone know what Jensen Marine was doing at the time? Bob Andrew Cal 39 Nereid Want to place your ad here? Advertise on United Online http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/51ec931fa1872131f09d4st01duc