Check the tabbing on your galley

[Vento Solare]

I found the tabbing between the galley and hull had come delaminated. Today I decided to address the problem. I used a Fein multitool and cut the tabbing flat on both sides, then sanded the surfaces. On another day when it is warmer, I will tab it again with 17oz biaxial cloth and once it kicks will paint with white gelcoat.

The root cause is insufficient resin infusion in the glass. The tabbing separated from the hull and the glass strands were dry. Additionally it appears that the tabbing was attached to the cabinet work over polyurethane so did not have a good surface for bonding. I made sure to sand the polyurethane off so the epoxy will bond on the new tabbing.

Forward of Galley


Under Stove before removing tabbing


Under Stove after removing tabbing

[Vento Solare]

Pictures of work in progress. Temperature was 50 degrees today so I took advantage and glassed in new tabbing. There are 2 layers 17oz biaxial fabric that was covered with release cloth. It should kick and be ready to peel the release cloth and light sand tomorrow. I'll wait until temperature is in the 60s before applying gelcoat.

aft galley under the stove:


forward galley by port water tank:

[Vento Solare]

I got impatient and wanted to finish this job, and decided to use heat lamps so I could apply the gelcoat. The area was cleaned up, light sanded and wiped down with acetone. It was then masked and then a brush used to apply gelcoat. I used the gelcoat with wax additive so it doesn't need any spray like styrene to seal it so it can kick. Heat lamps were used to warm the area and help the gelcoat kick.

The pictures below were take after removing the masking. It's still outgassing pretty heavily so no more work inside the boat until the chemical reaction is complete!

Aft under galley stove:


Forward of galley by water tank: