Pram

[oldsub86]

So, I bought this little pram this fall.
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p294/oldsub86/Pram.jpg
It needs a bit of repair but seems reasonably sound and the price paid is probably no more than the value of the mast and sail. It has been built by someone out of plywood and is now a bit worse for wear. Likely stored outside in the weather and some of the paint is peeling off. I can't do much but think about it until the spring comes and it is warm enough to work outdoors so I have some time to think.
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p294/oldsub86/bowsmall.jpghttp://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p294/oldsub86/sidesmall.jpghttp://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p294/oldsub86/Image008.jpg
What would you do? Will it be sufficient to sand a bit and paint or should I get into fibreglass and or expoxy? I sort of assume I may need to use something as a bit of a filler as the grain of the plywood is a bit rough.

Randy

[AstoriaDave]

Randy,

What can be seen on the surface suggests there may be rot running deeper from those exposed areas. Use a fine-tipped awl (ice pick is good) and probel in the center of the exposed areas and somewhat to there outsides, to see if the areas of softness extend farther than the exposures. The best fix is to gouge out the rotted wood and replace with new wood, using epoxy and perhaps milled glass/fumed silica as filler to close any gaps. Might be a need for some backup inside to maintain structural integrity, but I doubt it. You can do all the prep work in the cold. The resin work demands a minimum of 50F, usually.