I recently purchased a 1977 Hunter 27'. After pulling and cleaning the bottom , I found a large fiberglass ( poorly done ) patch just behind the shallow draft keel.After removing the patch I found a split from the keel toward the stern ,right on the centerline, about 6" long 1/2" wide and up in the boat about 1-1 1/2" . Has anyone ever seen or heard of this problem and what could have caused it? Should I fix the boat or scrap it? Thanks for your help, Carter Leary--S/V Irish Fox
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survey?
If you had a survey done before purchasing the boat, the first thing you ought to do is go after the surveyor. I'd also want to find out from the original owner how the crack came to be. Was it the result of a hard grounding? If so, there may be more trouble than meets the eye. One way or the other, it's amazing the sort of extensive repairs a good boatyard can do. The big question is how much the boat's worth compared to the estimated repair costs. ........... If you didn't have a survey done before purchasing the boat, you've learned a hard lesson. NEVER buy a used boat without a survey.
If you had a survey done before purchasing the boat, the first thing you ought to do is go after the surveyor. I'd also want to find out from the original owner how the crack came to be. Was it the result of a hard grounding? If so, there may be more trouble than meets the eye. One way or the other, it's amazing the sort of extensive repairs a good boatyard can do. The big question is how much the boat's worth compared to the estimated repair costs. ........... If you didn't have a survey done before purchasing the boat, you've learned a hard lesson. NEVER buy a used boat without a survey.
Easy fix
Why is it that every time someone sees a crack in fiberglass they start to pee their pants? Fiberglass is easy to repair and if done correctly is as strong as new or can be made to be even stronger than new. Your problem is the keel, if the fiberglass is damaged under the keel and you have to take the keel off have fun. Look at the bright side, look at all the stuff you'll learn about your boat. Do you know how many people won't even look at a used boat if it needs a little glass work. This makes these boats very afordable. Next time you won't be bothered if you have to takle a glass problem.
Why is it that every time someone sees a crack in fiberglass they start to pee their pants? Fiberglass is easy to repair and if done correctly is as strong as new or can be made to be even stronger than new. Your problem is the keel, if the fiberglass is damaged under the keel and you have to take the keel off have fun. Look at the bright side, look at all the stuff you'll learn about your boat. Do you know how many people won't even look at a used boat if it needs a little glass work. This makes these boats very afordable. Next time you won't be bothered if you have to takle a glass problem.
Easy fix, sleazy mix
The first thing was the owner did was whiz in their pants, and the first thing Worthy Advisor wanted to do was sue somebody? John, the mistake is made-lesson learned. Now lets get the boat fixed and go on. Whether it was the surveyors fault for missing it, the previous owners' deceit. or just fluke of nature, it still needs to be fixed.
The first thing was the owner did was whiz in their pants, and the first thing Worthy Advisor wanted to do was sue somebody? John, the mistake is made-lesson learned. Now lets get the boat fixed and go on. Whether it was the surveyors fault for missing it, the previous owners' deceit. or just fluke of nature, it still needs to be fixed.
easy fix?
Sorry to sound like I'm pissing my pants, but if that hole resulted from a grounding, then you're going to have to check the stringer/hull bonds, the aft bulkhead to hull bond, and the keel attachment. If these were damaged, you're talking about a lot more work than just a fiberglass patch, especially if plans for the boat include some real sailing. The main problem is to find out why that hole happened in the first place, because the hole described is not normal wear and tear on these boats, and it's in an area of the hull that should be the strongest, least flexible construction.
Sorry to sound like I'm pissing my pants, but if that hole resulted from a grounding, then you're going to have to check the stringer/hull bonds, the aft bulkhead to hull bond, and the keel attachment. If these were damaged, you're talking about a lot more work than just a fiberglass patch, especially if plans for the boat include some real sailing. The main problem is to find out why that hole happened in the first place, because the hole described is not normal wear and tear on these boats, and it's in an area of the hull that should be the strongest, least flexible construction.
Why does this sound familiar???
Didn't we just have this exact same problem discussed this week? What are the odds?! (I hope not very high!) Sheesh Carter, there was a discussion of an H27 with the same poorly-patched hole in the same spot, except he reported his whole was 10 x 10 inches. I gave him a suggestion for fixing it; some other people did too. See if you can find it! The short version is-- if the boat is out of the water, ABSOLUTELY it is worth fixing. JC 2
Didn't we just have this exact same problem discussed this week? What are the odds?! (I hope not very high!) Sheesh Carter, there was a discussion of an H27 with the same poorly-patched hole in the same spot, except he reported his whole was 10 x 10 inches. I gave him a suggestion for fixing it; some other people did too. See if you can find it! The short version is-- if the boat is out of the water, ABSOLUTELY it is worth fixing. JC 2
Hole in Hull #2
Gentlemen , I do appreciate all of your input, regardless of some. If a frog had wings , he would not bump when he jumped,( ie. survey) well a frog does not and I did not.You know how some of us dumb Southern boys are,but I figured a boat that had been sitting in the water for over two years with no attention whatsoever from the owner ,and the only water taken on was only over the keel bolts,might just have a pretty sound hull. Plus the boat had all the sails in great shape, including spinaker and whisker pole , and radio's , Loran etc..Admittedly the one cyln. Yanmar needed to be rebuilt and oh yes the boat also came with a 1999 15hp Mariner outboard and I got the whole package fot $1500.00. So, my fiberglass expert is going to fix the hole and all the little imperfections on the boat this week. John , I have not as yet found your advice to the other person with this problem , but I thank all of you for your input. Carter Leary--S/V Irish Fox
Gentlemen , I do appreciate all of your input, regardless of some. If a frog had wings , he would not bump when he jumped,( ie. survey) well a frog does not and I did not.You know how some of us dumb Southern boys are,but I figured a boat that had been sitting in the water for over two years with no attention whatsoever from the owner ,and the only water taken on was only over the keel bolts,might just have a pretty sound hull. Plus the boat had all the sails in great shape, including spinaker and whisker pole , and radio's , Loran etc..Admittedly the one cyln. Yanmar needed to be rebuilt and oh yes the boat also came with a 1999 15hp Mariner outboard and I got the whole package fot $1500.00. So, my fiberglass expert is going to fix the hole and all the little imperfections on the boat this week. John , I have not as yet found your advice to the other person with this problem , but I thank all of you for your input. Carter Leary--S/V Irish Fox
You go tet 'em boay!
Redneck says-I didn't figur a good ole suthern boy would get took twice! Tell that fancy pants lawyer to git back to the city. We gona patch up this here boat and go coastal!. Southern Gentleman says: Thanks for your concern. It sounds as though our friends logic and eye for value has paid off. Lets fixed that scar and go sailing!
Redneck says-I didn't figur a good ole suthern boy would get took twice! Tell that fancy pants lawyer to git back to the city. We gona patch up this here boat and go coastal!. Southern Gentleman says: Thanks for your concern. It sounds as though our friends logic and eye for value has paid off. Lets fixed that scar and go sailing!
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