Skin Fitting Removal and replacement

[Stephen Carstensen]

I'm trying to understand why teak stringers under the deck are required for mounting the teak decking... Isn't screwing into the fiberglass what is generally done? What do the stringers add? Thanks, Steve warmrain@rockisland.com

[Peter Hentschel]

Steve: fiberglass is a very problematic material for direct "wood" screw attachment. the glass tends to fracture and spall as the wood screw expands the material as it is inserted. usually a wood substrate is provided to grab the screw with a pilot through the fiberglass to let the neck of the screw pass easily. When screws are used for structural attachment directly into fiberglass machine screws are more frequently used and the fiberglass is actually tapped like metal - not a system to use for connecting hundreds of connectors. This approach is often used for attachment of tracks, etc. The best current system for attachment of teak decking is the direct glue approach with no screws (or screw hole penetrations of the deck) at all. "Teak Decking" out of Florida is a good example of this system. If you are replacing teak decking then this is the way to go if you want to avoid future headaches. peterh@tectonpc.com

[Stephen Carstensen]

Peter, Thanks for the feedback. "fiberglass is a very problematic material for direct "wood" screw attachment. the glass tends to fracture and spall as the wood screw expands the material as it is inserted. " Yes, that makes sense to me, I don't why I didn't think of it before. "When screws are used for structural attachment directly into fiberglass machine screws are more frequently used and the fiberglass is actually tapped like metal..." We fastened our staysail tracks this way when converting from club footed to free footed and it has worked very well. "The best current system for attachment of teak decking is the direct glue approach with no screws..." Yes, I've seen the decks vacuum bagged onto the boat, which seems ideal. The HC33T that I own has screws just around the perimeter, apparently to hold the deck in place while the bonding agent kicks off. These screws are from INSIDE the boat up through the fiberglass into the teak (the heads are then glassed over to prevent leaks. Of course as the deck wears the little pointy ends come to get you... But at least there aren't hundreds of holes drilled through was what started out as a perfectly waterproof deck Best, Steve
warmrain@rockisland.com