Just when I thought I was finished with the re-core of my "Benchseat 18" YellowJacket's deck I picked-up the engine hatch cover to check it for proper fit ~~~
As I lifted the heavy hatch a trickle of water poured from the "Donzi" hatch lock knob hole.
I cut the underside glass near this hole and the water dumped-out !
Finally I removed most of the hatch's underside glass to expose two large rotten core ares~~~
The one at the "Donzi" lock knob was about a six inch 3/4 circle~~~
For some reason on this Doni 18 they ran the core very close-up to the lock knob !
I never saw this on another 18 hatch !
But I also found a much larger twelve inch circle around a small star shaped impact gel-coat crack area that you would hardly notice on the top center of the hatch.
I suspect the hatch at one time hit the aft lifting ring at one time or another in the boat's past life .
Since the boat had been sitting outside uncovered for 25+ years in the rain & snow almost the entire hatch core had wicked-in water .
It was literally saturated with water in there !
No small wonder this old engine hatch cover was so darn heavy !
Now I have seen everything !