Re: 1984 Hunter 27 - Bow Damage

[Hunter Enthusiast]

I recently removed the bow cap from my sailboat to properly assess underneath damage (caused by a previous owner); my primary concern was water ingress.

What I discovered was substantial damage to the bow tip area (covered up with what appeared to be some form of sealant).

I've since had a replacement bow cap fabricated (i.e., stainless steel); before installing the new bow cap, I want to properly repair the bow tip damage.

Does anyone here have experience with such repair work??

 

[dLj]

Well, your question "Does anyone here have experience with such repair work??" The answer is yes, a number of us have experience with that kind of repair work. You list your location as Deer Island - there are a number of Deer Islands - where are you located?

That's a fair bit of damage. I can't really tell from the photos how much structural damage exists, but sure looks like there is some, maybe quite a bit. I'd recommend you find someone near you that can help determine the full extent of the damage you have and come up with a solid (see what I did there?) plan to address those issues. I'd suggest you also take photos from inside the boat showing what it looks like from inside.

dj

 

[Hunter Enthusiast]

Well, your question "Does anyone here have experience with such repair work??" The answer is yes, a number of us have experience with that kind of repair work. You list your location as Deer Island - there are a number of Deer Islands - where are you located?

That's a fair bit of damage. I can't really tell from the photos how much structural damage exists, but sure looks like there is some, maybe quite a bit. I'd recommend you find someone near you that can help determine the full extent of the damage you have and come up with a solid (see what I did there?) plan to address those issues. I'd suggest you also take photos from inside the boat showing what it looks like from inside.

dj

I'm located in Deer Island (NB, Canada); near Eastport, ME.
I've looked "inside" and the damage doesn't appear to have reached that far.

 

[dLj]

I'm located in Deer Island (NB, Canada); near Eastport, ME.
I've looked "inside" and the damage doesn't appear to have reached that far.

That's beautiful country!

That's a good thing - but I'd sure like to see photos of the inside...

I am not understanding what I'm seeing in this photo - see my red arrows - they are pointing towards different areas with very different appearances. What are we looking at? Repair? Broken structure? I'm just not sure from the photos.

dj

 

[Hunter Enthusiast]

That's beautiful country!

That's a good thing - but I'd sure like to see photos of the inside...

I am not understanding what I'm seeing in this photo - see my red arrows - they are pointing towards different areas with very different appearances. What are we looking at? Repair? Broken structure? I'm just not sure from the photos.

dj

It appears that a previous owner simply applied some form of sealant in/around the damage and them concealed it with the bow cap.

Much of that "irregularity" you see is remanents of sealing compound.

I'll try to get some good pictures from inside the bow.

 

[shemandr]

Looks like you need a Rhinoplasty?

 

[Hunter Enthusiast]

Looks like you need a Rhinoplasty?

I can't disagree with you!

 

[Hunter Enthusiast]

It appears that a previous owner simply applied some form of sealant in/around the damage and them concealed it with the bow cap.

Much of that "irregularity" you see is remanents of sealing compound.

I'll try to get some good pictures from inside the bow.

Here are pictures I took from "inside" the hull (at bow cap area):

Regarding the red arrow areas you indicated, they're all pointing to sealant that has been applied to the damage.

 

[FastOlson]

I have seen the bow section of a larger Hunter from that general era (80's?) that was in the shop for repair. The boat had T-boned another much stronger sailboat. The "shark bite" in the bow went in about a foot (!) -- well above the waterline so no threat of sinking.
The layup was unexpectedly weak. It looked like here was a layer of cloth & roving on the outside, some plastic foam material coring that had crumbled around the edges like "dry cottage cheese", and a layer of glass on the inside. For a bow structure it was, IMHO, appallingly lightly built.

Any good shop can build it up "better than new", and the most vexing part of the repair will likely be matching the gel coat.
Best of luck on the repair.
Probably just history, but still odd that your pre-purchase survey did not red flag that damage.

 

[Hunter Enthusiast]

I have seen the bow section of a larger Hunter from that general era (80's?) that was in the shop for repair. The boat had T-boned another much stronger sailboat. The "shark bite" in the bow went in about a foot (!) -- well above the waterline so no threat of sinking.
The layup was unexpectedly weak. It looked like here was a layer of cloth & roving on the outside, some plastic foam material coring that had crumbled around the edges like "dry cottage cheese", and a layer of glass on the inside. For a bow structure it was, IMHO, appallingly lightly built.

Any good shop can build it up "better than new", and the most vexing part of the repair will likely be matching the gel coat.
Best of luck on the repair.
Probably just history, but still odd that your pre-purchase survey did not red flag that damage.

The only way to discover/note the damage was by removing the bow cap (which is no easy task).
There was NO overt signs of damage at time of purchase (nor in the pre-purchase survey); the previous owner hid it very well!

 

[dLj]

Sure looks like you may have some cracks going through - see this picture.

dj

p.s. sorry, my top arrow got a little heavy handed over the top looking crack.

 

[dLj]

If you look in your first set of images, I'm pointing to what looks like a crack running up the bow - trying not to cover it with my yellow arrows, but not sure how well I've done. It sure looks like the same indication that is less visible on the inside. I think you've got some structural damage in this region that should be addressed.

dj

 

[Hunter Enthusiast]

If you look in your first set of images, I'm pointing to what looks like a crack running up the bow - trying not to cover it with my yellow arrows, but not sure how well I've done. It sure looks like the same indication that is less visible on the inside. I think you've got some structural damage in this region that should be addressed.

dj

Thanks.