Sail Life - Drying out the hull (osmosis) and replacing old deck core - DIY sailboat refit 

I watched this 5 years ago. It was refreshing to be reminded of the efforts you put in. Now I need to find the videos where you 'glassed' the hull stringers. Cheers

18:56 This is the best sequence in your entire channel! Mainly because I didn't expect it. I don't understand the horse, but I like how the pieces of plywood move.

I award you 52 extra OCD bonus points for the scarf joint 😁 Great work as always!

A cliff hanger! Looking forward to seeing how the section of deck core dries out! Have a great week Mads and thank you for the shout out ;-)

Whenever we start feeling overwhelmed by our project, we watch yours. Hats off to you Mads.

I don't think I would ever disagree with you. You are VERY thorough and knowledgeable. Smart work with the vacuum and heat.

My God I love the way you are so thrall. If In lived near you I would volunteer to work for you on the boat just to learn from you. What a mentor you would be. You are great.

You just made my Sunday morning. The scarf joints you made in the plywood inserts were elegant. I love that type of joint. The increased surface area created makes for bonding strength that is unmatched by other types. I use them in making 20 foot in and out wales for my canoes. Those joints must hold 1.25" x .75" strips of ash firmly together. Matching the grain the pieces look like one long strip and the joint is the strongest part of the entire strip. By temporarily screwing them together you've made an unassailable bond. The angle grinder dust control tool, gotta get me one. Mikita is good stuff. Finally, a proper scarfing jig is key to making the joints perfect and easy. Nice, nice work.

With all your work and innovations, Athena is coming along just great Mads. With any luck it looks like you will achieve your goal and have her in the water before it gets too cold.

Definitely you do not rush on the work. And that is fundamental to do it right and avoid mistakes. Speed comes with experience.

Really good stuff mads...the only thing i dont like is when the video comes to an end :)

great work. no need to justify your decisions it's your boat, your money and your fun DIY videos. love the videos :-) your making crazy progress seems like only yesterday you were buying the boat!

I love how you feel it's necessary to defend your choices in your design from random people on the internet. I typically only discuss my design with my customers, random armchair quarterbacks don't even rate an explanation.

My Sunday morning coffee would not be complete, without your videos. It's amazing what can be achieved with some forethought and little planning and huge dollop of perseverance. Great job.

Mads...don't let anyone give you grief over using the plastic sheet to get a vacuum on the small section of plywood on the forward port deck. That is exactly how our mechanics get a vacuum on a honeycomb repair for a flight control surface prior to it going into the autoclave. Well done! Thanks for sharing your DIY journey on Athena! I'm finding that my week just isn't complete without my Sail Life video.

Glad to see the vacuum mat and heat is working out fine for you.

Incredible attention to detail and impressive patience as well. What fun to watch the progress! Three thumbs up!

As always, a great DIY learning experience from you, Mads. I want to also thank you for (previously) introducing us to Andy's channel. I'm about to take ownership of a 1975 Grand Banks 42 here in Seattle and its teak deck is shot. Thanks to learning from you and Andy I think that I can largely handle any deck core issues that I find once the teak is gone (and not to be replaced).

Wish I could leave a double like. I'm learning so much. You are doing such a good job of DIY and content creation. Thanks.

wow, cannot believe how wet the old deck was! Another great video.

Thank you Mads for showing me your lovely boats and all the care you are doing to bring you one step closer to your dreams.

Enjoying your DIY videos. You have the genuine kindness of teaching, a sharing of your experience, and the positive attitude towards all of us who are watching. It's like Mr. Rogers - a wonderful promoter towards bettering humanity through educational services of his media - PBS. Keep it going, Mads! Cheers!!

Another awesome video and well done Mads. I also like your explanation for using plywood again. I think a lot of people go way overboard doing the repair using the most expensive unobtanium, super permanent materials when the facts are plain old plywood, improperly installed lasted 30 years. Properly installed...60 years? 70? who knows?

Ah ha ha ha the stop motion sequence is gold, reminds me of kids shows back in the late 80s.

Wonderful videos and very instructive. I hate to sound like a safety nag, but I have to say that after seeing you scoop that silica and mixing it in open air, with clouds of powder flying about, I advise you take every precaution to avoid breathing the stuff, which can cause very serious lung disease (on par with asbestos fibers!). When I mix this stuff in my own shop I do so in an enclosed transparent box set up for the purpose in which I carefully scoop the silica into my epoxy batch, being careful to minimize making the powder airborne, and mixing it within the confines of the box until it is well incorporated in the liquid before taking it out into the open air. I also wear a good quality dust mask as an additional precaution. Like they say, "no boat is worth dying for"....

Silicosis !! Please protect your lungs and wear a proper mask .My 43 year old next door neighbour is dying a slow and very cruel death from exposure to silica. Apart from the safety concerns your work is great

If I may make a suggestion that I have used when glassing. Put on more than 1 pail of gloves at a time, that way when your gloves get resin on them you just simply remove contaminated gloves and still have clean gloves on your hands. Hope this works for you. I enjoy watching your videos, you do nice work and explain what and why you are doing it.

Thank you Sail Life for these really unique vídeos!

love your laid back fun diy videos. keep it up! I watch every Sunday from Alaska! Thank you!

I don't own a boat, nor am I a "Boater". However, this channel is hands down my favorite! Keep it coming Mads! Your in depth narration and education is much appreciated.

Excellent video! Thanks, Mads!

As always awesome video, a 25 minutes video will be perfect

Great videos! If the IT business goes sour for you and you get tired of sailing, you could easily become the next Mr. Rogers! I think you would be great at hosting a show like that. Cheers!

Mads, with a significant amount of recoring work ahead of you, you may want to consider West System's epoxy/hardener large capacity metering pump....pump the handle for a quick 5:1 dispense, add your thickening agents and then mix. A lot quicker! Great videos buddy...keep it up!!

Another enjoyable episode in your saga. Thanks, Mads.

Now that you have vacuum technology, you can use it for clamping force on repairs or glass layups. Adding a little heat was excellent idea for drying purposes. An if your tape on the hose did not work, just wrap the hose with some of your sealant tape where it crosses the bag border. It may look like smashed ass, but if you are pulling more tha 20 inches, it looks like success. Really enjoy the vids.

Wilma is going to throw a hissy when she realizes you've been two timing with that magical unicorn. Great vid Mads, your how-to's are among the best out there in tube-land.

I like the look on your face and the cinematography of the shot at 4:28

Great video. Great job on Athena. In your own vernacular "you are pretty danged amazing Mads." Your perseverance and patience is incredible.

Your editing skills are starting to feel like some Entry Jedi Level stuff...lol...seriously, in this video, you reach some next level editing...the walking sticks, short time lapse little jobs, even the music - the improvement is noticeable!!!! Keep up the good work, people appreciate these little bits and they add a ton to the dynamic of your DIY video projects at Athena. "Strong is the force becoming, at your editing skills, young padawan. Remain in this path, you must!!!!!!" (by Editing Yoda)...lol...

The builder probably planned to install a windlass on that plywood reinforced area you discovered on the port side of the bow. Good luck with your project!

So happy you figured out how to dry out your hull! You are really becoming an expert on fixing water damage on boats.

Another great video. As a boat builder I have a few tips that you could try. Just stick the mastic tape to your vacuum bag instead of the job especially on small areas it makes the pleats easier. When spreading the thickened epoxy on the inside skin use a notched spreader (west system has them) it gives a consistent thickness to the glue. I would also drill small holes (2 mm) in the ply and foam at 50-100mm centres (don't have to be perfect) to help any air and excess epoxy squeeze out. Looking forward to your next video.

Great Video. I can't wait to see you walking on a nice better than new deck.

Really enjoying your videos! the deck core replacement and hull drying are fascinating.

At this point, I'm just hoping you're able to sail as well as you're restoring your sailboat! Did enjoy the moving wood sticks. LOL

Always a great way to start the week.... thumbs up from me again.

this comment is to agree more than anything else the idea of changing the core is something that I try not to do, if it's wooden the load has been calculated with this in mind to change the material would mean doing a lot of calculations to get it right I would also like to say thank you for your time and effort in doing these videos they are great to see

Hey Mads. I have an alternative to your drill, fill, and drill process. I found some fiberglass tubes, made from carbon fiber glass. they come in just about any size you want. I bought some tubes that were 1/4 inch inside diameter ( for 1/4 inch bolts) then drilled holes that were the same as the outside diameter of the tube. I mixed up some thickened epoxy, and epoxied the tubes into the hole. The advantage here is that you won't drill too close to one edge of you "filled" hole, the other advantage it that it won't crack from stress.

Mads, how to lower the boiling point of water: As an old avionics tech, before calibrating altimeters, a hard vacuum was pulled atop the mercury tube. This vacuum reduced the water molecule boiling point to room temperature so any remaining moisture vapor could be sucked out. Hope this helps. Jack aka electricalpowerguy

Loving your vids. Loving seeing your confidence grow even more. It is great to hear the most polite version of "its my boat not yours and this is how im doing it." in a long time. Keep up the great work.

Great video Mads. An easy way to do a scarf joint (if you have to do a lot of them especially) is with your router. Mount it on a nice flat board, and then build a couple of ramps for either side of your plywood. It has to be easier than cutting those by hand, though I am guessing that you do not have a ton of them to do.. :)

I would watch these for hours. They're really interesting. Thanks again Mads

All going well Mads, you are making great progress. The pump background noise was hardly noticeable on the video!

Recently discovered your videos. I really enjoy them! Nice work!

Another great video Mads. Have spent the last 2 weeks trawling through your entire collection that make addictive viewing. Love your positive can do attitude and attention to detail. Cheers

Well it worked for 30 years, that is better than most items. So replaced with good wood and sealed another 30 years would be my expectation.... Waiting on the next video..

Much progress, thanks again for a great episode.

Great video again - spiffing stop go element as well. Keep up the great videos and the great work. Can I suggest a dehumidifier set up inside the boat close to where you are heating the hull - not running forever only when the hull is being heated from the outside. Good luck.

Great video! Loved the stop motion part 😊👍

In one of your earlier vids I thought I heard you call them 'moisturements'. Thats great word economy so from now on thats what I call them!

So happy for your impressive progress, Mads!

Looking great!! Great progress!!

Coming along nicely!

Great update Mads. Materials that are available in your area would be best imo as well. Cheers from PEI Canada, Bryan

Another great video Mads.

Dear Mads, I'm new to your channel and just wanted to say thank you for all your fantastic work . It is amazing what you've achieved in such a short time . You really are going the extra ( nauticle ) mile (without short cuts)to fulfill your goals and dreams. I hope their will be many videos or adventures to follow. Your diy - sailing - mix really got me hooked . I even became interested to learn more about sailing, thanks to you . Sorry for my bad English ( must sound very German -Ish ) Cheers Andreas Weber Ps no answer required hence you're very busy 😉

Wow! Super polished work.

Another great video Mads, thanks for posting!!

boat is looking great, well done !

great episode Mads!!

Thx Mads, I really enjoy the videos.

Great that the heat/vac system is working....Must admit I was worried it might not.

another great video Mads, and there is nothing wrong with your vacuum bagging technique. I seen boats built with much worse when they are attempting to vacuum bag the hull. as long as it holds a vacuum that's all you need, and just an FYI you will probably never reach 30 inches of mercury vacuum. I believe 29-point something is the most you can get in our atmosphere. It's been awhile since I've dealt with that technology so I may be a little off.

LOVE this video!! Especially the stop motion! I always look forward to your next videos!

Flip a large styrofoam cooler over your vacuum pump with a small hole to let the air out and it will muffle the noise. I made a homemade version with sheets of foam to build a box around my air compressor. It makes it about 75% quieter.

Nice to see that the vacuum&heat project turned out so so well! Thanks for the vid, always great to watch! :-D

Well prepared. Thanks for sharing.

Good progress Denmark!

Great stuff Mads, so glad your passion has never waned! Keep it up 👍👍

Hi you say that Balsa is used as a core in the cabin top , the reason it could be in good shape is that it's all end grain so if water enters some where it won't spread but will be isolated to that spot due to the nature of end grain so not spreading it also has great compression strength as a boat builder it's my preferred choice if laid property. All the best your doing a great job that will pay dividends.

You're doing such a great job on Athena ! Thanks for sharing with so many details, it's really instructive.

Presumably, since you are pulling a vacuum on Athena's hull you will be using this unique opportunity presented to you to draw in new polyester resin, replacing the water drawn out, filling voids in the laminate, and consolidation any dry resin free areas of fibre glass mat

pretty dang good. Can't wait for your video. Keep up the good work. You are inspiring!

Good stuff ,, plugs for holes , looking forward to seeing this plan next vid

The Ad at the beginning gives me time to Like your video's before Sail Life even starts.

Thanks Mads, and love the animation.... :)

That is an awesome video! Thanks for a great combination of insight, snappy editing, good lighting and brevity! I look forward to going back through your other videos. (PS: I have total shop envy right now!)

Great video, the hot vac system is excellent.

I really enjoy your videos!

I use the CFS silica, with west system, works just as well as the west system but is near free in comparison cost wise. Actually i prefer it, noticeably less clumpy. All the west colodial i have ever use has nitcably hard clumps unlike the CFS. The pumps do drip, but it wipes up just fine even after a few weeks with acetone, it does not harden, just gets gummy! As to the syringe, use the 1.2mm green tips works a lot better or if you can find them the plastic tapered nozzels are even better as you can cut them back to your desired width with a knife.

Another GREAT video. I am learning a lot watching this process. I loved your video editing skills with the walking wood. LOL Keep up the great work.

Love it! I usually don't come back to channels on youtube, and tend just to browse around, but this is really relaxing to watch! I've worked on new boats here on the West Coast of Sweden, (Hallberg-Rassy and Najad) doing Fiberglass work, it's a couple of years ago i did that, but i enjoy watching you do this, since you are so calm and serious about your work!

Truly amazing diy video. I learned a great deal from this video. Thank you so much Mads for sharing your experiences with all of us. P.S. I agree with your reasoning for using the same materials on the deck.

Great video Mads! Hey thanks again for all the hard work putting videos together for us.. it is so cool to see your talent and progress! I sure envy your workspace, a lucky guy you are :) Best wishes from aboard my workboat on Bristol Bay, Alaska!

Yet another great vid mads

I need to do similar work on a trawler I am buying, thank you for the instruction. And plywood is whatcha need in places for the core!

Loved the animation! Too much for your workload to ask for more? ;-)

Try hooking up the vacuum pump and heater to a timer, so you can leave with it on knowing it will automatically shut off at a certain time.

Hi Mads, replacing with the same is sensible as it is known to work and affordable.