I just bought a H23. Once I got it home I looked at the bottom with a flashlight at night and noticed the hull was shaped strangely behind the keel. It seems to dip down and on one side there is a concave indentation about 15" across. Has anyone encountered this or know why this might be this way? Also, I've had water accumulate in the bilges when I let it sit, and I'm sure it's not rain (covered on the trailer). Would it be natural for the back of this boat to sag while on the trailer?
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Do you know the history of this boat?
Is it possible this boat was aground or wrecked or lifted improperly in the past? Are you able to inspect the interior bilge where this defect is? Finally, maybe you cound sand the bottom coating off in that area and see if there is any cracking. Is the area soft when you push on it? It looks like damage from lifting or jacking. Some folks paint their boats on the trailer, and jack to clear the trailer bunks for painting there. Also, I've seen boats shift on the trailer while traveling....
Is it possible this boat was aground or wrecked or lifted improperly in the past? Are you able to inspect the interior bilge where this defect is? Finally, maybe you cound sand the bottom coating off in that area and see if there is any cracking. Is the area soft when you push on it? It looks like damage from lifting or jacking. Some folks paint their boats on the trailer, and jack to clear the trailer bunks for painting there. Also, I've seen boats shift on the trailer while traveling....
On the Hard
When out of the water boats can lose some of their shape. When returned to the water, it will "relax" and may return to normal. Yours is on a trailer (see picture). It could be mis-shapen from being out of the water. Unless it's very pronounced, you may be OK. Good Luck.
When out of the water boats can lose some of their shape. When returned to the water, it will "relax" and may return to normal. Yours is on a trailer (see picture). It could be mis-shapen from being out of the water. Unless it's very pronounced, you may be OK. Good Luck.
The boat's history
Thanks for your help. I know the boat took on water and sank in the slip for a few days because the motor mount screw holes let water in. At deepest the cabin floor was about 4" full of water. Can the cabin floor become saturated? Is it cored? Lastly, does it really make any difference or make the boat less safe? Thanks
Thanks for your help. I know the boat took on water and sank in the slip for a few days because the motor mount screw holes let water in. At deepest the cabin floor was about 4" full of water. Can the cabin floor become saturated? Is it cored? Lastly, does it really make any difference or make the boat less safe? Thanks
Hull shape and water
I just went out and looked at our boat on the trailer and there doesn't seem to be any different shape like yours. If it was lifted out with a sling could it have popped the hull in a little bit? The hull is not cored, but does have a liner in it and once water gets in there it can take a little while to get out of the liner and into the bilge. If the boat isn't sitting on the trailer exactly right this may put more force on one are and may make it dent in a little bit as well. Also the other posts about changing shape in the water are right on. One time I rigged everthing and got everything adjusted and when we got it in the water had to readjust the rigging again. Rob Morton S/V Euphoria
I just went out and looked at our boat on the trailer and there doesn't seem to be any different shape like yours. If it was lifted out with a sling could it have popped the hull in a little bit? The hull is not cored, but does have a liner in it and once water gets in there it can take a little while to get out of the liner and into the bilge. If the boat isn't sitting on the trailer exactly right this may put more force on one are and may make it dent in a little bit as well. Also the other posts about changing shape in the water are right on. One time I rigged everthing and got everything adjusted and when we got it in the water had to readjust the rigging again. Rob Morton S/V Euphoria
Cracking yes - Pronounced yes
I have sanded off the paint behind the keel on the hull around the indentation and have found some cracking. Long cracks about 12-18" long. Is this a serious problem? Pics will follow.
I have sanded off the paint behind the keel on the hull around the indentation and have found some cracking. Long cracks about 12-18" long. Is this a serious problem? Pics will follow.
Hull structure
That looks like jacking damage but it's very difficult to tell from that picture. It appears that it is far enough back that you should be able to examine the interior of that area in the rear bilge - it might require removal of the battery / water tank support base if it's too far outboard. I would recommend getting a good look at it from the inside if possible. Whatever it is, it should be quite repairable. With regards to the water in the bilge...you say that it's on the trailer but not coming frmo rain? What are the other possibilities? I did extensive work on my Hunter to eliminate the leaks and was succesfull with the exception of the rear locker access seat where the lip in the channel that should guide water away is not tall enough just under the seat - I'll form a taller one soon. However, the biggest leak that I had in the boat was the hull to deck seam under the rub rail. If the boat was sitting flat and tilted forward it would be no problem but because the rub rail fits tighter to the hull on the flat stern, water would run into the rubrail along the sides, flow inside the rail to the stern where it couldn't escape. The sealant at the hull to deck seam was cracked and water would come in at a very high rate - almost pressurized! If your cover is not keeping water off the rub rail around the entire boat you are probably leaking there too. Jake
That looks like jacking damage but it's very difficult to tell from that picture. It appears that it is far enough back that you should be able to examine the interior of that area in the rear bilge - it might require removal of the battery / water tank support base if it's too far outboard. I would recommend getting a good look at it from the inside if possible. Whatever it is, it should be quite repairable. With regards to the water in the bilge...you say that it's on the trailer but not coming frmo rain? What are the other possibilities? I did extensive work on my Hunter to eliminate the leaks and was succesfull with the exception of the rear locker access seat where the lip in the channel that should guide water away is not tall enough just under the seat - I'll form a taller one soon. However, the biggest leak that I had in the boat was the hull to deck seam under the rub rail. If the boat was sitting flat and tilted forward it would be no problem but because the rub rail fits tighter to the hull on the flat stern, water would run into the rubrail along the sides, flow inside the rail to the stern where it couldn't escape. The sealant at the hull to deck seam was cracked and water would come in at a very high rate - almost pressurized! If your cover is not keeping water off the rub rail around the entire boat you are probably leaking there too. Jake
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