[Tiara Open] 2005 3200 Open Gunwhale repair

[mlamarch44]

Hey all,
I recently found  on my new to me 2005 3200 open that one of the rod holders was installed without a backer plate.  The installer just used screws, and these screws have pulled through. The glass around the hole is weak, and core around the hole compromised, so I planned a core replacement from underneath the gunwhale.  I contacted Tiara to determine the core material and they said that the cockpit gunwhales are solid fiberglass.  
Can anyone confirm this, that the gunwhales are solid glass?
If so, tearing it apart to replace rotten core from below may not be the best option.  I could overlay/reinforce with a layer or two of glass from below or inject epoxy through the open hole into the glass.  any ideas, advice, or experience on this is welcome and would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Matt

[jsheerin]

On my 2005 3600 Open, it was definitely not solid glass. I had a similar problem with a poorly installed flagpole holder. I used a dremel to zip out about 9 X 18 inch rectangle underneath, used epoxy coated !/2 inch (I think) plywood, then glassed it in from below. Lucky for the easy access.

[mlamarch44]

Excellent info, thanks for the reply!

[TenBayFive]

I am dealing with similar issue on 2010 3200 I got last year. Mine is on transom gunwale over the fold out seat. Surveyor’s moisture meter went nuts around a rod holder and the flag holder. I took all those out and saw there was very little sealant, or it had gone away/deteriorated. I noted that the diamond non-skis is pulling up in that section and there is evidence of water intrusion.  As far as I can tell, the gunwales are held on w a few bolts and SHOULD/might pop off pretty easily. I almost took the whole thing off to bring to a fiberglass shop but time got away from me. I rebedded the holders with butyl tape which I am coming to love. 

As to your actual question, the diagrams I got from Tiara do not reflect balsa coring in the gunwales. However it might be that the diagram is just for the hull and decks. My memory is that it WAS wood-cored. I can try to double check later. Keep in touch if you figure this out and how to fix it. 

I have a bunch of diagrams for the 3200 from Tiara I can share w you if you don’t have. Wiring schematic, etc.  Extremely super useful. Some of them should be in the owners manual. But the online manuals do not have the appendices which are gold (wiring diagrams etc.) for your specific boat.

[mlamarch44]

Thank you for that information. I do have the original books with the diagrams, etc.

Project update- for the port side- I used an oscillation tool to cut out a rectangle from the underside of the gunnel, found plenty of I rotten balsa core. I replaced that, epoxied it in place and glassed over it all. I redrilled the holes and this time I painted the large hole with epoxy and drilled and filled the bolt holes with epoxy and then redrilled them. It came out great. I inspected the starboard side rod holder and it appears to already have been fixed by this method.

[TenBayFive]

Thank you for that information.  I do have the original books with the diagrams, etc.

Project update- for the port side- I used an oscillation tool to cut out a rectangle from the underside of the gunnel, found plenty of I rotten balsa core.  I replaced that, epoxied it in place and glassed over it all. I redrilled the holes and this time I painted the large hole with epoxy and drilled and filled the bolt holes with epoxy and then redrilled them. It came out great.  I inspected the starboard side rod holder and it appears to already have been fixed by this method.

radical! i'm happy this website seems to be coming to life.  I do a lot of DIY maintenance and projects, and this type of info sharing is invaluable.  Post some pics if you can, to show everyone what you are talking about, and how you fixed. Good luck this season.