TOPIC: Dorsett Lexington

Just purchased a 1959 Dorsett Lexington and was surprised to find particle board used by the factory as the underlayment for the fiberglass deck. The particle board has deteriorated in most places and I wondered what any of you have done to remedy/repair/replace to fix it?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Regards,

HMM, maybe glue up some R board insulation, then vaccumbag some glass and resin to it, looks like a way to nice boat to tear down.....

Very nice Lexington! I have a '60 in the same color. It's the sport version and not the luxury version. I have yet to see another sport version in any Dorsetts. Is that a Dorsett flag I see?

Nate

Very nice dorsett,looks to be in great shape. i just sold a 61 lexington 2 months ago , not as nice as that one,but someone fell in love with it an needed a project. good luck with it. i also have some spare hardware if you need anything.

Yes, the Dorsett flag, in excellent condition, came with the boat.

As I indicated previously, the only issue I am having is the apparent "particle board" used as the underlayment for the deck, is deteriorating due to age. It is crumbling to the touch as the original adhesive holding the wood particles together has failed. I have sprayed Smith's Clear Penetrating Epoxy (CPES) on all the wood and it seems to strengthen it considerably.

How have any of you dealt with this problem?

Tx,
Mike

stl_jt,

WELCOME ABOARD. - PURTY boat, too.

yours, satx

Looks like you have a deck replacement in your future ?
Once the wood is rotten, you can't make it un-rotten. And if you take the time and effort to replace one piece of wood, you mine as well replace them all. But if you can get by for the season ? Save that replacement for winter. Just my opinion.
Use a good quality marine plywood, some use MDO sign plywood. I'd stay away from pressure treated.

Several applications of the Smith's CPRES worked. The particle board is
now firm to the touch, does not flake off and I am very pleased with the outcome. No need to do any wood replacement as was suggested since the boat is far too nice to disassemble the deck from the hull!