Oiling teak and sealing leaks

It’s springtime, and that means time to get Whisper ready for sailing. Oiling teak, sealing leaks, buffing scratch marks and a bit of varnishing will fill the bill this spring. At the end of 2006 I noticed two leaks. The portside teak strip that guides the sliding hatch had a leak, and the portside v-berth portlight also leaked.

During the winter, I removed the teak grab rails and the teak guide rails from the boat, set a heater inside, and let the balsa core bake just in case it was damp. Over the last several days I used teak cleaner to get the black crud off the teak, then oiled each piece several times. Each balsa-cored hole was filled with epoxy, then I redrilled the holes with a 3/16″ bit. Today, I bedded each fitting in 3M 4200, including putting some sealant on the threads of each screw.

I haven’t fixed the v-berth portlight leak yet. Last year, I drilled out the rivets for the starboard portlight, rebedded the light in clear silicone, and used stainless steel buttonhead machine screws with nylock nuts to secure the portlight. I have enough buttonhead screws to do the portside light, but the leak is so minor I may just try putting a tiny amount of silicone sealant on the seam where the portlight meets the hull.

Whisper has gathered some scratch marks over the last two years, so I will gently compound the scuffed areas with 3M color restorer, followed by a good wax.

I also have a bit of varnishing to do on the tiller handle. It’s really just touch-up varnishing, so I’m using MinWax Helmsman spray semi-gloss varnish. If time and energy permit, I’ll sand the standard companionway hatchboard and varnish it as some moisture got under the varnish last year.

Before I get too far into the summer, I’ll change the oil in the outboard, too.