Project Seahorse: E4 Reinforcing Cabin Sole & Centerboard Trunk

Restoring a 1974 O'day Mariner 19 Sailboat, Episode 4.
In this video, I go over the process and results of laying up 1708 Biaxial fiberglass cloth on the cabin sole/bilge area, the centerboard trunk, and the seam that binds the two together. This is to add strength to a weak point in old Mariners as well as reinforce the previous repair of the hole through the hull in the bilge area! It's not perfect, but I think the repair is adequate and was a good learning experience.
The Mariner 19 has a large following of many owners, an active forum with repair and restoration information, and plenty of parts still available. These boats are still manufactured today by Stuart Marine. You can visit www.usmariner.org to check out the Mariner Class Association and learn more about Mariners!
Let me know what you think, including comments, suggestions, or questions!
#sailboatrestoration #sailboatrefit #projectboat #mariner19 #repair #restoration #mariner

[@williamwinter2638]

I've been enjoying your videos as rehabbing an older boat has been something I would like to do. Your glass work seems fine and will gt better with time. Keep it up.

[@stevedownwind]

Just in the process of buying a mariner 2+2. Living on my Pearson 26 in Virginia. Hoping to get my new gunkholer ready this Spring. Going to clean it tomorrow. I did a lot of similar work to what you're doing on your boat to my P26 last year. Sailed it 450 miles after removing and glassing over 6 through hulls. No leaks. Been above water since! I used straight 17 oz biax and had no issues. You did it fine. No worries. My Pearson has a 4 foot iron keel. Did all of what you did but didn't know about that POR 15.🤬 Probably be doing it again next year. Oh well. I just got back from St Pete. Spent some time on my buddy's Catalina 27 there. He's moving to Orlando to go to that school for marine diesel. Hoping to take my new mariner down to the West Coast and explore Charlotte Harbor area on down toward 10,000 islands. Keep posting. Going along nicely! Best regards. Charles.

[@projectseahorsesailing]

Good luck with your Mariner! Any videos or posts on it? There’s a Facebook group of Mariner owners if you’re not already a member, as well as the Mariner Class Association (but requires a yearly fee). Currently I’m working on the hull-to-deck joint around the entire boat: I just finished glassing over the interior side of it. The Pearson 26 is a good looking boat! I’ll mostly be exploring the east coast of FL, but want to do a trip to the keys. I actually hadn’t heard of 10,000 islands- just looked it up and it’s definitely on my list now! Hopefully we can get a Florida Mariner rendezvous going.

[@oumenelabrise2155]

Very clean repair, especially all around the larger piece keeping the original radius clean. Will reinforce the truck for sure.

[@projectseahorsesailing]

Thank you! I feel much better about it now that it's reinforced.

[@bullhippo9023]

Peel play helps a lot for surface prep reduction

[@projectseahorsesailing]

I originally skipped peel ply to save money, but I think I may go ahead and buy some to save on labor and and get some better results..

[@bullhippo9023]

Sanding fiberglass is tough. The vibrating or orbital will work, but very very slow. The circular sanders with 80 and 40 grit will cut nicely.

[@projectseahorsesailing]

Hmm maybe I should look into that… recently bought a used Makita 1 1/8” belt sander which has been nice for small areas, shaping and radius sanding- Boatworks Today channel recommended it

[@nickl74]

Peel ply will help you reduce the sanding requirements

[@projectseahorsesailing]

I think I should buy some.. I avoided it because of the cost but it’s probably worth it at this point.

[@beaconbus]

Looks to be much stronger in the sole/trunk area. Do you have one of those metal rollers that they use to roll the air pocket out as you are layering fiberglass mat?

[@projectseahorsesailing]

I did buy a cheap set of metal rollers. I’ve switched back and forth between the roller and dabbing the bubbles to the edge with the brush. The smaller roller I have works best, but I didn’t clean it after last use and that’s why I didn’t use it here… perhaps I would have had better results with it.

[@MadelineStkitts]

My external centerboard gel coat has some crack around how handle it? A New owner. I appreciate your advice.

[@projectseahorsesailing]

Is the cracking on the coating of the centerboard itself, or on the outside of the hull around the centerboard trunk?

[@beorbeorian150]

What state are you in? I am on the same journey and would love to get out and dinghy sail when we get our boats sea worthy

[@projectseahorsesailing]

I’m in Orlando, Florida. That would be awesome. Are you nearby?