Mast step / stringer

[Phil Spicer]

   This is what I had after cutting out the center of the wet wooden beams. Had some warm weather so I started the fix. Cleaned and ground the
lumpy putty. Filled low spots with glass and resin to work toward making a level base.

[Phil Spicer]

   Hope this is a better (bigger) picture.

[KWKloeber]

Phil

When you say "resin" you're talking epoxy, correct, not polyester resin ( fiberglass).

[Phil Spicer]

   This is where things are now. Did a pour of thickened resin and added some 1/2" thick glass cut outs, saved from old boat projects. Turned cold so everything is on hold again. Took a hot glue gun and cardboard to make a prototype of ss beams to go under the wood and ss supports under the factory "t" section.

[Phil Spicer]

  Yes, Epoxy...West...polyester is only for no iron shirts !

[Phil Spicer]

   After checking a lot of epoxy brands, I was at the boat and ready to pour so I just went up the street to WM and got some West System. Had planned to try some other brand like MAS but that didn't happen. Didn't want to wait for UPS.

[KWKloeber]

LOL

FYI   If you use the west systems "special Hardner" you don't need to worry about removing the blush. All their other hardeners leave the blush. Mas hardeners are also blush free.
One reason I like and strongly have recommended on here to use Mas, is the mix ratio is more forgiving.

[Phil Spicer]

   Thanks Ken. Will try MAS after this gal. is gone.

[KWKloeber]

 Phil,
Just more FYI. The way it works is that the Mas hardeners can also be used with the West resin.
You use the mix ratio of the Hardner you're using regardless which resin it's going into.
So you could use a Mas non-blush hardener with whatever West resin you have left over.

The difference in the resins is that Mas has a little more body to it but has surfactants so that it does flow (or supposed to) as well as the less bodied west. Mas also makes a penetrating  resin which I have used which is a little bit less body then the west.

Of course, the west thickeners and adhesives are compatible with either brand.

kk

[Phil Spicer]

   Once again, thank you Ken. This board is a fantastic wealth of knowledge. We never stop learning.

[kh3412]

Ok time for an update. Got the area cleaned out last winter on some of the warmer days. Decided to build up a platform using aluminium, put a length of pipe for the drain between bilges and pieces of 7/8" plate stock.   

[kh3412]

Put a layer of fiberglass between each level to tie each level to the bilge sides.

[kh3412]

The hope is to slide the last level under the wood still left in the stringers.

[kh3412]

The last level in place. Now just have to clean up the area some more and fit the hardwood in.
Hoping that should water get in the bottom there is nothing but aluminum.

[kh3412]

Just to close out this topic. Got the wood fit in (took some pounding)