P23 Fiberglass trouble

[DAVA390]

Today is launch day. 15 minute ride from home to the marina on good roads. The crack shown below opened up on that ride. It is about 12" long, starts around the waterline, wraps under. I can`t see inside the hull here, the port quarterberth extends back to the gas tank locker, inside the hull wall is covered. I`m sure it`s leaking because I looked in the access port below companionway entrance, looked back towards port, moisture trail is running from that area forward toward the bilge, enough to get my fingers wet when I reached in to wipe them on the bottom of the boat. When we finished 30-45 minute putting around the river (more issues with sails), we loaded up on trailer, checked water depth in bilge with a dowel rod 1/4" deeper than when we left.
Marina personnel (Md. Marina for locals) feel evidence of previous repair here. P.O. claims ignorance even though he bought new centerboard in 2006 (receipts in his folder).Further consultations with glass guys next week.

 

[Ross]

Open it up and have a look then repair it.

 

[dscribner]

Dave,

That bites! I'd re-glass that area with 8-10 layers and probably reinforcing rod about 4'-0 long embedded in the glass. I don't know if that's the correct way but that's what I would do. I'd probably use 3/8" stainless threaded rod, to give the epoxy something to grab, maybe add nuts every 6" or so, same as you'd do with rebar.

Don

 

[Ross]

There is no reasonable way to knowledgeably suggest a repair until the nature of the failure can be determined.

 

[mitiempo]

Dave,

That bites! I'd re-glass that area with 8-10 layers and probably reinforcing rod about 4'-0 long embedded in the glass. I don't know if that's the correct way but that's what I would do. I'd probably use 3/8" stainless threaded rod, to give the epoxy something to grab, maybe add nuts every 6" or so, same as you'd do with rebar.

Don

Ss readyrod and nuts. comparing it to rebar? Best to save that type of repair for sidewalks.

Agree that better knowledge of the damage is needed first. Then a proper repair with epoxy and biaxial roving or something similar in multiple layers for a lasting fix.

 

[TLW]

This boat has had a previous "issue." The P23 is well-made by builders of the highest integrity and are very strong, particularly in that area. The repair suggested here would be inappropriate. Have the boat looked at by a reputable shop. While it is there, stop by the courthouse to pick up the papers for a small claims action. I wish I could see this boat in person. The evidence has to be there. Good luck.

 

[Ross]

It was probably either on the rocks or was dropped. But in Maryland more likely it banged on a submerged piling. The area was probably caved in but not penetrated and was likely pushed back out and faired with no deep structure repairs attempted. There is a fair to good chance that the owner didn't realize that it had been so badly damaged. Where is it docked? I know that Perry Hall doesn't have any water front.

 

[DAVA390]

Ross ,it`s a trailer sailor. The P.O. I bought it from had it at Md. marina, dry sailed for last 5-6 yrs. I think it was used lightly by him , he is single, kids aren`t interested in sailing. I don`t know him well just been watching the boat the last 2 years I have been in this marina with my P 18. He says no hits or problem he is aware of, could have predated him. He didn`t take it home for winter, it stayed here, not much road time on the trailer, I think.

 

[Bad Obsession]

Photograph the hell out of it. Figure out what marinas he kept the boat at and what marinas in the area may do that kind of repair. See if they have record of the boat at the marinas.

Remember, small claims court is a preponderance of the evidence. This means that the best evidence wins. If you can find where it had been damaged previously and you have a lot of pictures you may win.

Also, what type of contract was done when you bought the boat. If you bought it as is then there isn't much you can do even if the P.O. didn't make representation of the damage.

 

[Ross]

If you take the time and the effort needed to litigate this problem and apply it to repairing the boat and getting on with your life, you will be much better off. If you decide to make your own repair it will cost less than 200 dollars.

 

[Manureva]

Do not waste money on stainless steel rod in the repair, stainless steel will rust when it is not in contact with oxygen/ air. A good v notch about 8 time the thickness of the hull in that area followed by layer of Fibreglass cloth and resin or epoxy( epoxy is more sticky and stronger( but your boat is built with resin)). Then some gel coat to finish and fair should do the trick and be fairly inexpensive. I would sand and try to find out the extent of the damage before repairing to make sure you fix it all and not partly.

 

[Douglast]

get er done...

 

[higgs]

Legally, you have no way to prove you did not hit something to cause the damage. Unless you can find evidence of a previous repair, I think you are probably stuck.

 

[DAVA390]

Bottom line, it was an "as is" sale. The crack was not there then. I`m not going to pursue legal,etc, just focus on a repair.

 

[Ron20324]

Is that square where a stand would have been when on the hard? Maybe tried to lift the boat off the trailer using a stand? And how long have you owned the boat?

 

[Merlin Clark]

Bottom line, it was an "as is" sale. The crack was not there then. I`m not going to pursue legal,etc, just focus on a repair.

Sounds like the best plan, far less aggravation.
The West System info is fantastic: http://www.westsystem.com/ss/boat-repair/ and http://www.westsystem.com/ss/use-guides/

Edit: forgot this http://www.westsystem.com/ss/assets/HowTo-Publications/User Manual 2012 Part1.pdf

 

[Merlin Clark]

Found the manual I was looking for http://www.westsystem.com/ss/assets/HowTo-Publications/Fiberglass-Boat-Repair-and-Maintenance.pdf

 

[DAVA390]

Merlnoux, thanks for links. Ron, Iv`e only had it a about 2 months. Th P.O. kept it here (Md. Marina) on the trailer. marks are from paint work years ago, he never patched the spots when it was moved off stands (according to him) . Older gentleman, done sailing, some fuzzy recolections. He left here in the spring, took the boat home to Towson. I pulled it from Towson to Perry Hall about 6 weeks ago, I guess. Worked on it at home, back to the marina Sat. 3 days ago, this crack opened up between home and Md. Marina. It was not evident before, I scrubbed the boat down during the monsoon a week or so ago, it was not to be seen.