I have been having my bottom sanded - barrier coated - and bottom painted the last 3 weeks - when they put the boat back on the cradle - a dimple appeared - I asked the service manager - is this something I should be concerned about - should we move the boat - what should we do = He replied that flexing in the hull happens often - and that I shouldn't worry - Well I wanted to throw it out to the forum to see if any other O'Day owners have had a simular problem - and should I be doing something before we launch her ??? thanks!
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Hoosier Kevin,
Is the dimple where the pads are on your cradle? Are the pads adjustable? If it is, I get this on my trailer to some extent. If you can lower your pads and let alittle more weight on the centerboard housing(or keel if it is the full keel version)should relieve the dimple. On my trailer, everytime I lower the pad, the rollers under the centerboard housing bend more. The rollers were not the best design on this trailer. When I launch mine, the dimple comes out as the water spreads the load over the whole hull. r.w.landau
Is the dimple where the pads are on your cradle? Are the pads adjustable? If it is, I get this on my trailer to some extent. If you can lower your pads and let alittle more weight on the centerboard housing(or keel if it is the full keel version)should relieve the dimple. On my trailer, everytime I lower the pad, the rollers under the centerboard housing bend more. The rollers were not the best design on this trailer. When I launch mine, the dimple comes out as the water spreads the load over the whole hull. r.w.landau
The cradle has a busted board
R.W. - The cradle was a gift from the boat yard - so I can't complain but it has 2 16 foot boards that bunk the hull - one of the boards has broken off at the end - about 2 feet from the end - and that is where it is dimpled - I know I need to fix it - but I was concerned if I attempted the fix I might not have been successful in time for boat to be re-cradled before launch ( we have been doing other repairs) It is good to know that it comes back once it is in the water - I am concerned that I might need to strenghten it in the future - although when a tap on it with a screwdriver head - it doesnt have a dead sound - but I don't want it to give - or blister - thanks for your comment - Hoosier Kevin -
R.W. - The cradle was a gift from the boat yard - so I can't complain but it has 2 16 foot boards that bunk the hull - one of the boards has broken off at the end - about 2 feet from the end - and that is where it is dimpled - I know I need to fix it - but I was concerned if I attempted the fix I might not have been successful in time for boat to be re-cradled before launch ( we have been doing other repairs) It is good to know that it comes back once it is in the water - I am concerned that I might need to strenghten it in the future - although when a tap on it with a screwdriver head - it doesnt have a dead sound - but I don't want it to give - or blister - thanks for your comment - Hoosier Kevin -
Late Hulls are kind of thin ...
but there are designated places where you should be supporting the hull and that is basically in line with the bulkheads ... where there is a structural rib that runs up against the inside of the hull. You do not want to leave this dimple in especially if it is on a trailor as the flexing will eventually break down the fiberglass and weaken that area of the hull. That said, I've seen pretty deep dimples that when relieved of pressure didn't show one bit of gel coat cracking, and several years later are fine. Good boat yards know enough to move the supports so that dimples don't happen. But then again maybe you should have marks where the supports are ... I use a couple of little triangles. Vic
but there are designated places where you should be supporting the hull and that is basically in line with the bulkheads ... where there is a structural rib that runs up against the inside of the hull. You do not want to leave this dimple in especially if it is on a trailor as the flexing will eventually break down the fiberglass and weaken that area of the hull. That said, I've seen pretty deep dimples that when relieved of pressure didn't show one bit of gel coat cracking, and several years later are fine. Good boat yards know enough to move the supports so that dimples don't happen. But then again maybe you should have marks where the supports are ... I use a couple of little triangles. Vic
Kevin, Vic "Seven" has a good point
I would be concerned how deep that dimple is. Check for cracking around the outermost edge of the dimple. This is the part that is being stressed the most. The hull is trying to go two ways. Does the yard launch with a mobile sling or does it transport with the cradle? The reason I ask is that Pads (usually about 12x12 spread the load pretty well and so do the roller style easy-loaders but a broken 2x6 put a pretty intense load in a small area. If it is not cracked (more of a circular crazing) you should have no problem but I would repair the cradle and try to rest it more on the keel. r.w.landau
I would be concerned how deep that dimple is. Check for cracking around the outermost edge of the dimple. This is the part that is being stressed the most. The hull is trying to go two ways. Does the yard launch with a mobile sling or does it transport with the cradle? The reason I ask is that Pads (usually about 12x12 spread the load pretty well and so do the roller style easy-loaders but a broken 2x6 put a pretty intense load in a small area. If it is not cracked (more of a circular crazing) you should have no problem but I would repair the cradle and try to rest it more on the keel. r.w.landau
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