Hi

When they built my Freedom in 1981, they used filler, not fibreglass to bridge the gap between the inner and outer skin of the transom around the hole for the rudder arm (rod).

When I took on the boat, I failed to notice a fine crack in that area, as it was covered in dirt. The crack allowed water in and investigation shows the plywood (not balsa) core is rotten over a fairly large area. We didn’t notice it at first because the fibreglass is so thick that hammer taps didn’t show any difference.

Unfortunately, I’ve been quoted over £4000 to fix the problem, which is beyond what the boat is worth to me - I took it on to convert it to JR. So email me if anyone withe fibreglassing skills is interested in a “ free” F30 CK project boat (I would require a nominal change of ownership sum). It needs a new engine ( the old one is gone) and if anyone new plugs to be made up for the joints between the front and rear sections of the wishbone booms,, not that you want them for a JR conversion, but otherwise it’s all there. When I acquired the boat, there was quite a lot of minor osmosis, but this has been treated. I’ve also inspected the centreboard case and replaced a broken sheave in there for the lifting centre board .The boat is on the hard at Ridge Wharf in Wareham on the UK south coast.

Simon