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.

 

[rgranger]

A lot of what looks like delamination is just the putty used when the put the deck on the hull. You will want to chisel that out and replace it. You are going to get water in your boat if you don't.

To fix the dammage you need to decide if you want to do it the "right" way or the practical way. I'll mention the practical way in a moment but....and the right way will probably cost more than you paid for the boat but here goes...

You will want to remove this portion of the deck...

Grind away all of the loose debris and feather the edges of existing fiberglass anyplace new lay will sit...then create a reverse mold to recreate the shape of the bow and start laying in small layers of wetted fiberglass until you have recreated the original shape of the bow. That is a tonne of work and will cost a lot. You will then need to put the piece of deck back in place and feather and glass the joint.

The practical way would be to have a welding shop create a large SS bow cap that covers all of that up and maybe partially overlaps the sheer to hide the hull to deck joint. You could even dremel in some decorative designs in the overlap.

Chisel out all of the loose debris and reseal it with fresh epoxy putty. Cram some wetted fiberglass cloth in to the cavity at the nose and cover it all up with your attractive bow cap. Through bolt the bow cap in place. The structural integrity will need to be built into your oversized bow cap. This will cost you a lot less, get you back on the water this season and may even look better than original. As long as you disclose when you go to sell.... it will also be ethical.

 

[Hunter Enthusiast]

A lot of what looks like delamination is just the putty used when the put the deck on the hull. You will want to chisel that out and replace it. You are going to get water in your boat if you don't.

To fix the dammage you need to decide if you want to do it the "right" way or the practical way. I'll mention the practical way in a moment but....and the right way will probably cost more than you paid for the boat but here goes...

You will want to remove this portion of the deck...

View attachment 238166

Grind away all of the loose debris and feather the edges of existing fiberglass anyplace new lay will sit...then create a reverse mold to recreate the shape of the bow and start laying in small layers of wetted fiberglass until you have recreated the original shape of the bow. That is a tonne of work and will cost a lot. You will then need to put the piece of deck back in place and feather and glass the joint.

The practical way would be to have a welding shop create a large SS bow cap that covers all of that up and maybe partially overlaps the sheer to hide the hull to deck joint. You could even dremel in some decorative designs in the overlap.

Chisel out all of the loose debris and reseal it with fresh epoxy putty. Cram some wetted fiberglass cloth in to the cavity at the nose and cover it all up with your attractive bow cap. Through bolt the bow cap in place. The structural integrity will need to be built into your oversized bow cap. This will cost you a lot less, get you back on the water this season and may even look better than original. As long as you disclose when you go to sell.... it will also be ethical.

I very much appreciate your reply to this matter; thank you! I'm going to think more on your practical approach option (and research the required materials).

As I move through this, I will most certainly have some follow-up questions.

Again, thank you so much.

 

[Stu Jackson]

a large SS bow cap that covers all of that up

While this is a possible quick coverup, i suggest you consider the implications of a large area at the bow of your boat being made of really slippery material. It would have to be covered with something that is a sure non-skid. Good luck.

 

[Barnacle Bill]

There once was a black plastic cover that was bolted in place under the stemhead fitting and that is not seen in any of your pictures. It covered what appears to be the damaged area butting up to the leading edge of the slotted aluminum toe rails and covering the point of the boat with a radius that wrapped around the side. It was merely cosmetic with no structural integrity. The mess you have below has to be ground out and fiberglassed up with various layers of cloth and matt and maybe even some roving to build it up and make it strong. The strength of the stemhead fitting really comes from where the stainless plate attaches to the leading edge of the bow and then through the deck and bolted through that plywood backing underneath. If that plywood is shot or degraded, I'd replace that too, or make up a different backing plate out of fiberglass or sheet metal (stainless or aluminum).

 

[FastOlson]

If that plywood is shot or degraded, I'd replace that too, or make up a different backing plate out of fiberglass or sheet metal (stainless or aluminum).

When I wanted a strong backing plate for a new bow anchor roller frame, I used some quarter inch G10 set into epoxy mush. Working overhead up at the pointy end was "interesting" !

 

[rgranger]

Working overhead up at the pointy end was "interesting" !

 

[heritage]

Can you post a photo of the ss cap and chainplate that you had fabricated.