Indentations in Hull

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George Pysor

We are experiencing hull indentations caused by anything that touches the exterior gel-coat. We have learned that under the gelcoat/resin layer there is a woven mat and then several structural layers of fiberglass. The woven mat is suppose to be satuated with resin during construction. Ours was not properly satuated and therefore it is not rigid but is soft and spongy. Each time something touches the gel coat it causes the gel coat to be indented. When we brush our inflated dock wheel it indents the gel coat due to a lack of support. Had the woven mat been properly satuated, then the gel coat would be supported. Has anyone else had this problem or any related problems with indentations in the hull? Hunter claims that this is a cosmetic defect and not structural and therefore does not want to fix the entire problem. Hunter did pay to have 15 or 20 indentations removed from our hull last fall. They ground off the gel coat/resin to expose the woven mat and found the workmanship defects. They filled the areas they were working on, but have refused to fix the balance of the hull. Four weeks later and we got another indentation 1 inch wide X 30 inches long.
 
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Miles

Is this a new boat George?

If so I think I'd make a fuss about it. Is the mat saturated with un-catalyzied resin or is it dry? If something scratched through the gelcoat you might end up with a water logged hull. Also your hull won't be a strong as it should. It sounds like more than a "cosmetic defect" to me unless it's confined to a few small areas.
 
K

Kate

Unsaturated mat

as you have described sounds like a major problem. You might consider having a surveyor do random samples of the hull construction. If the hull samples exhibit defective construction you could approach the manufacturer directly or through the courts!
 
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Terry

Hi George, I think Kate has a good suggestion.

Contact a good marine surveyor and have them give you a professional recommendation. Then take this to Hunter for a remedy. It may be cosmetic, but it does not sound right to me, either. As an additional step, send a copy to your insurance company to let them know about the situation. They have a stake in your boat, too and can sometimes influence the outcome in your favor. Terry
 
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