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Hull Damage

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johnmcb
Deckhand

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USA
17 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/17/2012 : 10:42:08

I have some damage to the hull of my boat which looks just like a cracked boiled egg. About a foot below the rub rail just forward of midships on starboard side, there is a 4 inch square of exterior hull missing and underneath, at a depth of about a sixteenth of an inch, the fiberglass is just as slick and smooth as the egg under the shell of a hard boiled egg. Boat was on the dry getting a bottom job during Isaac. What could have cause this & can it be repaired?

macsailor

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 09/17/2012 : 11:26:43

I think there are more questions than answers to be had here. My first thought was about the cracked egg appearance. That sounds like simply gelcoat damage. I'm not sure what you mean by "a 4 inch square of exterior hull missing". Do you mean the gelcoat is gone and you have exposed fiberglass? If that's the case, then, yes, it's most likely repairable. Simply replace the gelcoat. (I said "simply", that doesn't necessarily mean "easily".)

The thing to check though, is the integrity of the hull. Is the fiberglass beneath the gelcoat solid? Any evidence of delamination? That will involve a more extensive repair.

You might want to test the hull/deck joint for water-tightness.

It's anybody's guess as to the cause. Since you mentioned the hurricane, I'd guess a flying object whacked the side of you boat as it flew by. Another thought that occurs to me is: how was the boat removed from the water? Was it hoisted by crane or lift? If so, were the straps properly placed? Could this be a crush injury from retrieval?

You'll never really know the true cause and that probably doesn't matter. Find a fiberglass guy and get an estimate then, talk to your insurance company.

Edited by - John Russell on 09/17/2012 11:29:40

awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 09/17/2012 : 12:59:04

quality photos would be very helpful for this discussion...

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 09/17/2012 : 13:15:39

Possible lightning exit wound.

[url="http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/swlightning.asp"]Lightning! Flash, BANG! Your Boat’s Been Hit—Now What?[/url]

In this picture, you'll see the cracked egg shell appearance from this [url="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.cambridge.k12.mn.us/~larsond/light1.JPG&imgrefurl=http://www.cambridge.k12.mn.us/~larsond/lightning.htm&usg=__RTLGIu_8piF3Ms6dB28xpEjBMkQ=&h=375&w=500&sz=49&hl=en&start=7&zoom=1&tbnid=9U2FbueKW4_NJM:&tbnh=98&tbnw=130&ei=qoVXUOCRCery0gHzooDAAg&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dboat%2Bhull%2Blightning%2Bexit%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:*%26rlz%3D1I7RNRN_enUS451%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1"]sailor's strike[/url].

Edited by - dlucier on 09/17/2012 13:23:30

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5379 Posts

Response Posted - 09/17/2012 : 18:22:41

After Irene could water have gotten under the gelcoat and frozen in the late fall and winter? Use the back of a screwdriver handle an tap it on the hull to listen for delamination.

Edited by - on

johnmcb
Deckhand

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USA
17 Posts

Response Posted - 09/19/2012 : 16:56:50

Thanks for responses. Doubt we had a freeze in in South Alabama this time of year, but strap damage from haul out or flying objects in hurricane are other possibilities. A 1/16 in coating (gelcoat/paint?) is missing in a four inch square. Underneath is smooth white surface (Fiberglass?). My concern is that the gelcoat/paint may be delaminating. Marina fiberglass man is looking at it. I know very little about fiberglass and need second opinion before I put the kind of money I think we will be talking about. Hull has yellow tint in places, marina says it is primer. They want 5Gs just to paint hull. fiberglass will be extra. I will get a photo next week

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 09/20/2012 : 05:40:11

A smooth white surface under... Hmmm. This sounds like somebody painted over the original gelcoat, and a chunk of paint came off. What color is the hull (where the stuff didn't come off)? If the original gelcoat came off, under it you would probably see a pink surface--the fiberglass resin. You may be about to find out why painting a fiberglass boat is generally not a good idea.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 09/20/2012 05:42:33

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.