Hi IOA Members
My name is Pär and come from Sweden
I have started a restoration (like Benjamin) of my cat Nr.186
I bought the cat in very poor condition , but a saw a boat with wery nice sleek lines it looked fast and i couldent resist buying it
Here is my list to do
-Leaking windows
-Delaminations on saloon ceiling the area around mast and side stays
-Steering wheel in cockpit
-New paint
-Removal of a hevy inboard to one outboard 15 Hp
Now I am little concerned about an open crack between hull and deck in the area of leeboard case
Is this the weak point of the case outside , and is it enough to laminate this part , with epoxy and glassfibre
I noticed it when I remowed the bumper gard strip , if there is someone who has done the job I would be grateful for tips
And if there is some more tips that i should think of
Hope for som answer
Pär
Hello Par,
Nice to hear from you, and your right, I also fell in love with the lines of the Iroquois and the fact it is not a floating caravan ( like the catalac or many other catamarans)
I think the Iroquois has two faces, on one side you can bring your family for a relax weekend, but it is also a fast and competitive boat.
I’m from the Netherlands and bought buildnr 221 , Lady of Urr, just a few weeks ago so I’m still looking what to do en how to do it.
This is my first multihull, so there is a lot to learn…
About the lee cases: the lee cases from the Lady are not reinforced but the look closed ( sorry for my bad English) So I think for this season it will be ok and there are other pressing matters to attend first.
Like the leeboards themselves.
This weekend I will try to get them out and take them home.
With the leeboards removed I will have a better look if the cases are closed.
On the ioa site I read it is important to reinforce the cases and that it’s fairly simple to do it .
So next winter I will start to do it before the hulls get a new layer of paint….
The first thing I want to do ( after the leeboards) is install an electric circuit for light, heating and cooking,
Im not sure if I want to build in gas because I will try to keep the boat light and open…
I will also attach some pictures and be looking forward for yours…
Have a good trip!
Kind regards,
Hi Pär,
Welcome to the IOA!
I understand you to say that you have removed the rubbing band, which I believe is bolted over the joint between hull and deck. Is it this joint that has opened up?
Have you a picture of the crack you can show us?
If you wish, you can email me directly at iroquoishome@gmail.com and I will post any pictures or information you send me.
Best regards,
Martin Corrick
Chair, IOA
Hi Martin
Yes you are right the crack is in the joint of hull and deck
I have some picture but they are from some distance
I can send you that and if you can zoom in you maybe see it
I am going on a business trip and coming home Saturday I can take new pictures then
My idea is to fill the gap with fiberglass and epoxy resin and pres it together , after hardened , laminate some layer over it
What do you think
Regards Pär
Par
Please send the photo and I’m sure that we can help you.
When my boat (Catcracker mk 2 no 292) was surveyed, there was a hollow sounding tap from the surveyors hammer between the centreboard slots and the wooden rubbing rails. There was no damage or cracks but it seemed that there may have been a piece of wood glassed in underneath the deck between the centrecase and the hull side, and this wood may have been rotten.
I have cut one of these sides out and reglassed new wood into the piece I cut out and have now epoxied it back into position.
I attempted to attach all the photos that I took here but ‘copy and paste’ didnt work.
I will look up how to attach photos and try again for you.
Good Luck – Dave Webber
Hi Dave yes I think I have the same problem,with rotten wood under the lamination
I am going to spend the weekend at the boat,Ihave been away on some busines trip.
I think I will open up the soft area and take a way the bad rotten wood and replace it with some new wood
I can take som new picture this weekend,I have allredy done some job at the saloon roof,have taken away the inner lamination layer and the bad rotten balsa,I can take some picture of that to (if some would like to see)
Locking forward for a productive weekend
Pär
Hello Pär,
I too had soft areas around the mast. My headliner is in good but fragile shape so I went through from the top in stages as to not lose the contour. Also, working glassing overhead is not enjoyable work!I just dug/ground out the soft core and bonded/glassed in lots of 2″ x 2″ cored blocks. These small blocks conformed well to the curvature by resting on the inner skin. Be sure to use epoxy.
I relocated my helm to the cockpit and really happy with it too. It has chart, binocular, drink storage. I also made a really slick folding helm seat too. If you send my your email I will send pictures. I tried to paste but no luck. I sent them to the gallery last month but haven’t seen them anywhere yet. Good luck, Bart
Hello Bart -
Interesting that you repaired your deck from the top. That’s what I’m intending to do with my boat, though I’m thinking of using West System epoxy with closed-cell foam rather than balsa, so water can’t penetrate the core again. I’m also thinking of removing the outer surface in a series of parallel strips, maybe three inches wide.
One of the soggiest areas on my boat is the flat deck between the rails of the main hatch. It looks as though this may get very floppy when I remove the outer skin, but I reckon the deck can be temporarily supported by wooden battens and struts reaching down to the cabin floor.
I’m sorry you’re having problems posting pictures. If you send the pictures to me at iroquoishome@gmail.com I will post them for you.
Best regards,
Martin
Hi Bart
It was my inner layer that was loose from the balsa composite,therefore a took the inner lamination away
At this point I realised the balsa was rotten,and tock it away,I have removed 1×3 meter.
My idea is to work with small areas (say 0,5×0,5 meter) to begin with,and to work with lamination foil.
I can laminate with epoxy and fibre glass on the foil and then press it over my head to the roof,if nessercerly I can use vacuum,but I dont think i need that
best regards
Pär
Hi guys,
Sounds like you’re well along the way. I was adding a hardtop and relocating the helm so, I had a hole to fill ( the entryway access had to be modifideD a bit). I also glassed over the teak “brow” forward as it was fastened from the bottom and the wood shrunk letting in water. I too used West system but fiberglass honeycomb sandwich from surplus aerospace. The epoxy areas should be supported for at least a week as the epoxy is pretty flexable until fully cured. If you like, go to YouTube and type bartdavis100 and you can see my articulating helm seat and removable teak handrails. Martin thanks for the email, I will be sending you some pictures. Purists be warned! The cat is highly modified.
Bart,
I just took a look at your Youtube videos and the tinkerer in me wants to see more! Just from the small video, I can see a few interesting mods. PLEASE post more of your modifications to your Iroquois! I am trying to close a deal on an Iroquois that will need some love to bring her back to her glory and love to put my own touches as you appeared to have.
Todd
Thanks for the such kind words Todd. We’ve owned Kitty for over 20 years and still find it to be the most useful and capable boat out there for the money. We are on our third set of motors now. We added a heater on the port dagger board case. (the head door still opens fully). And have used this below freezing successfully. I also added refrigeration under the starboard berth forward. ( I cut a fridge in half and then made my own box in the hull ). Next project was widening out the starboard aft bunk. By raising and moving it forward a foot and relocating/modifying the salon settee 4 inches inboard, the bunk is 55 inches wide for 4′ then tapers in to the original 40″ ( tapers in due the side of the cockpit tub) the area under the bunk was filled with styrofoam and a small closet. Will make more videos next spring!
HI,
I’m going to make a full reparation of my 309, this february, I have to solve the same points than Pär. I will be greatfull if you can also send me the link of videos, photos or info about if.
My sweet 309 is very damage obecause the old owner (paintor) used like a painting studio in the harbour but didn’t solve anything on it.
To roof near the mast lost it all the “sandwich” wood and now is jus fiver. And the external is geting meelty with any touch all hand is withe.
I’m goint to add a central anchor and to pain it all. Of course to change all widows and I made a new glass and aluminium.
Also I will have to make all eletricity new and pipes and hulls internal flors because of water problem all got damaged.
Please send me info you have it. I will try to post everything I do on it in the next month with photos too.
My contac rmr@nautric.com
Thanks in advance.