We were the boat with the bow issued mentioned in an earlier communication.
We have owned our Challenger since 2000, as have only limited information on its past repair history. It had a holding tank from about the 1980's below the foreberth, and there were fiberglass patches on top hat frames below the holding tanks. These were old and we considered them to be about the vintage of the holding tank, and probably related to that installation. We had replaced the old tank and did not consider this area to be a problem.
The issue became evident shortly after we left Maine for Ireland. While beating in significant short seas between Georges and Brown's Banks we could hear a different sound in the area of the foreberth. Looking below the foreberth on the starboard side we could see the hull flexing as much as an inch and a half when we would hit a particularly hard wave. This had disrupted the berth framing,and mobilized the holding tank. At this point we headed to port for repairs.
When disassembled we found that the fiberglass patches over the top had frames were poorly done, not adding any meaningful support. Our presumption was that this was the root source of the problem.
We had concerns that the hull itself could have been damaged. We drilled our a 5 inch diameter "biopsy" in the area of greatest hull flex. There was no delamination, and the hull's integrity had not been compromised.
Repairs/reinforcement consisted of:
1. Adding additional glass from just above the level of the bunk down, and from the forward bulkead (separating the chain locker from the forecabin) to behind the forecabin lower drawers. This consisted of an additional 12 layers over the top-hat frames, and 6 layers in the areas between.
2. Adding a 1 inch thick plywood bulkhead below the foreberth between the 2nd and 3rd top-hat frame aft of the forward bulkhead.
3 Adding a fiberglass horizontal tab just below the level of the fore bunk.
4. When the holding tank was replaced, it was foamed in on its underside, leaving a drain path so any water draining into the chainlocker could pass into the bilge.
We were fortunate to complete this work within 5 days and resume our voyage.
I have not figured out how to add photos to this site, but could send some if anyone is interested.
Dan Cassidy
s/v Fleana
We have owned our Challenger since 2000, as have only limited information on its past repair history. It had a holding tank from about the 1980's below the foreberth, and there were fiberglass patches on top hat frames below the holding tanks. These were old and we considered them to be about the vintage of the holding tank, and probably related to that installation. We had replaced the old tank and did not consider this area to be a problem.
The issue became evident shortly after we left Maine for Ireland. While beating in significant short seas between Georges and Brown's Banks we could hear a different sound in the area of the foreberth. Looking below the foreberth on the starboard side we could see the hull flexing as much as an inch and a half when we would hit a particularly hard wave. This had disrupted the berth framing,and mobilized the holding tank. At this point we headed to port for repairs.
When disassembled we found that the fiberglass patches over the top had frames were poorly done, not adding any meaningful support. Our presumption was that this was the root source of the problem.
We had concerns that the hull itself could have been damaged. We drilled our a 5 inch diameter "biopsy" in the area of greatest hull flex. There was no delamination, and the hull's integrity had not been compromised.
Repairs/reinforcement consisted of:
1. Adding additional glass from just above the level of the bunk down, and from the forward bulkead (separating the chain locker from the forecabin) to behind the forecabin lower drawers. This consisted of an additional 12 layers over the top-hat frames, and 6 layers in the areas between.
2. Adding a 1 inch thick plywood bulkhead below the foreberth between the 2nd and 3rd top-hat frame aft of the forward bulkhead.
3 Adding a fiberglass horizontal tab just below the level of the fore bunk.
4. When the holding tank was replaced, it was foamed in on its underside, leaving a drain path so any water draining into the chainlocker could pass into the bilge.
We were fortunate to complete this work within 5 days and resume our voyage.
I have not figured out how to add photos to this site, but could send some if anyone is interested.
Dan Cassidy
s/v Fleana