galley sole

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James DeBrum
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Joined: 4/4/09
Posts: 57
galley sole

Has any one had an issue with the galley sole between the engine and sink. My 84 has a steep drop toward the sink from the engine. When I say steep I mean somewhere between 1-2 inches. The rest of the cabin sole is level. Just wondering if this is normal or a problem.

James & Gina DeBrum
S/V Slip Mistress
1984 C36 #333
Charleston S.C.
jgdebrum@gmail.com

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Sojourn
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Joined: 7/14/08
Posts: 163

Hi James,
That is not normal.  First off, I would remove the board(s) in question.  In the past, the boat may have been flooded to floor boards and started a rot in the core of the boards.  I replaced mine for cosmetic reasons, they were nearly black.  If the board are solid and they are not flexing, look at the fiberglass base for cracks or broken pieces.

The first part is relatively easy to fix,  Replace the boards themselves.  Be sure to coat the boards on both sides with a clear epoxy, such as the West system 105.  It is best to use the slow hardener as it dries clear.  Then put on a finisher such as two part polyurethane, such as  Interlux Perfection.   Use the old boards as templates to cut out the new boards, be sure to align the holly strips.  One 4' x 8' teak and holly plywood sheet would be sufficient to replace both boards.

The second part probably requires professional help, at least, it is beyond my talents.

Good luck,

 

Lou Bruska
Sojourn
1985 C-36 Mk-I TR #495
Eldean Shipyard
Lake Macatawa (Holland, MI) Lake Michigan
Rallyback@comcast.net

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Chachere
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Joined: 10/27/10
Posts: 825

If its of any use, attached is a photo from a few years ago when I took up the old floorboards to replace them, showing what's underneath in part of the galley area.   As you can see, there are some various "pockets" in the subfloor, perhaps the sole has rotted and is sinking into them?

Matthew Chachère
s/v ¡Que Chévere!
(Formerly 1985 C36 MKI #466 tall rig fin keel M25)
2006 Catalina Morgan 440 #30.
Homeported in eastern Long Island, NY

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James DeBrum
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Joined: 4/4/09
Posts: 57

Thank you both for your suggestions. It is definitely not the wood. The teak and holly is in excellent condition. This problem is in the fiberglass. It's like the compression post is pushing the sink cabinet downward. If I knew how I would include a picture but being an old guy I'm Technologically challenged.

James & Gina DeBrum
S/V Slip Mistress
1984 C36 #333
Charleston S.C.
jgdebrum@gmail.com

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KevinLenard
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Posts: 209

If the fiberglass has actually "flexed" and sunk downward, it will need to be jacked up and supported permanently from underneath.  A car jack might slide into that space with a plywood board slipped under the cabin sole to spread the pressure of the jack, then a piece of 2x4 or teak or Starboard cut to fit snuggly between the centerline/keel and the board under the sole before the pressure of the jack is released.  Just my thought.  I just had to do this at a house to lift the one side of a set of drawers under a countertop. 

Kevin Lenard
"Firefly"
'91 C-36 Mk. "1.5" Tall Rig, Fin Keel, Hull #1120, Universal M-35 original (not "A" or "B")
CBYC, Scarborough, Lake Ontario, Canada

Booker Sea
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Joined: 11/22/21
Posts: 8

Yes it is a problem
It’s similar construction to how the deck is done.
The boat yard monkeys have drilled holes in mine in places and you can see the plywood core.
Something has failed
Time to talk to the factory.
You didn’t provide enough details to give a much better answer

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pkeyser
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Joined: 5/18/13
Posts: 659

No answers, but some things to think about.....Does the cabin roof around the compression post show any deflection? If not, then that confirms the problem is a structural weakness under the cabin sole.

I agree that a talk with the factory would be a good next step.

Paul & Wendy Keyser
"First Light"
Rye NH
2005 C36 MKII #2257
Wing, M35B

James DeBrum
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Joined: 4/4/09
Posts: 57

Gentlemen: Thank you for your input. I can't tell by looking at it but I believe the cabin roof does have some deflection because the companion way hatch is difficult to open all the way. The hatch binds badly on the cabin roof. I do believe it is the compression post pushing down on the counter top. I have not yet figured out how I will correct this problem. I have been looking for some kind of jack that will fit between the sole and hull. The space is very tight. Thinking  about doing something from the companion way similar to pulling out the engine but attaching it to the sole. But I'm not sure if that would exacerbate the problem. Any ideas are welcome. 

James & Gina DeBrum
S/V Slip Mistress
1984 C36 #333
Charleston S.C.
jgdebrum@gmail.com

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pkeyser
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Posts: 659

Does the compression post end at the counter top, or extend downward to the keel? 

Google, "Inflatable Jacks," and you may find an alternative to a bottle jack that may fit in a tight space. 
 

Paul & Wendy Keyser
"First Light"
Rye NH
2005 C36 MKII #2257
Wing, M35B

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GaryB
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Joined: 10/26/08
Posts: 570

I remember someone using a deflated football to jack their engine. Perhaps that would work as a jack for you. Based on what I have read in this thread is the floor solid in the throughway formed by the galley cabinet where the compression post (Teak) is located? I would use a block that straddles two floor stringers (if solid enough)  along with a jack post to raise the cabin roof, than use the deflated football to raise the floor if possible. It sounds like the stringer that supports the floor has either moved or deteriorated. 

Gary Bain
S/V "Gone With The Wind"
Catalina 36', Hull #: 1056, Year: 1990, Engine: M-35
Standard Rig
Moored: Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Home: Auburn, Maine

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Chachere
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Posts: 825

I don't think that "compression post" -- which was only on Mark I models, I think -- actually supports any load (or not much of one -- we removed ours at one point to run lighting cables up through it, and it was just attached at the counter top with some wood screws from underneath).   And it certainly does not extend below the counter top (unless one views the counter itself as structural).
James -- It would be helpful if you could post some pictures; its a bit hard to visualize the issue.
As I recall (we sold our C36 last fall, so this is all from memory, and thus may not be reliable!) there was just mostly open space below the floor pan in that area between it and the hull (when I was working to snake cables and hoses through there).  If the floor pan failed in some way, probably would need to glass in some supports.

Matthew Chachère
s/v ¡Que Chévere!
(Formerly 1985 C36 MKI #466 tall rig fin keel M25)
2006 Catalina Morgan 440 #30.
Homeported in eastern Long Island, NY

Booker Sea
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Joined: 11/22/21
Posts: 8

Look at mine today it appears to be a clear span from the stove to the nav station
there is a support under the end of the cabinet.
I would be looking for a crack or more then one maybe the ribs provide a fair amount of the rigidity 
you could drill in a few places looking for rot.

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