Fiberglass problem

[wgoldsmith123]

I have a 12 year old 20' center console Stratos (the deep "V" hull, not the bass boat type). I've owned the boat since new and it has low hours (used a couple of weeks each summer in the ocean) and then used more frequently in fresh water over the last three years. <br /><br />Today as the marina was putting the boat in the water (I keep it in dry storage in a rack) I saw a large hole in the bottom of the boat. The gel coat was missing in a section about the size of a watermellon and the fiberglass underneath was visible. The location was about halfway back from the bow, on the port side and down low under the water line. First thought was that I had hit something, but I would have known it and, the fiberglass underneath is not damaged, just exposed. Also, on the exact same spot on the opposite side of the boat there are the beginnings of hairline cracks running bow/stern direction. When you push on the hull near both of these areas it is very flexible, more so than anywhere else on the boat. The marina thought the most likely cause was a rotten stringer, or trailer damage.<br /><br />Either way, am I correct in my thinking that the only way to repair this is going to be to take off the center console and part of the deck to be able to have access to the area from above and to fix the stringer? How would I know if a stringer is rotten? Can that even happen? Also, is this a repairable item or is the integrity of my hull compromised beyond repair? The boat is in excellant shape otherwise. I can take pictures and e-mail if that would help.

 

[Blk-n-Blu]

Re: Fiberglass problem

J, Is it possible the hull was damaged while being stored? does the storage facility use a forklift and would it coincide with the damage to the hull? Just a thought. Had a friend who sustained similar damage when his boat was delivered to his house for winter lay up,seems the trailer(adjustable hydraulic) the marina used wasn't properly adjusted to the boat size and the tires wore away the gelcoat on both sides of the hull and it was only a mile trip to the driveway. They paid for the repairs of course.

 

[Northern Eclipse]

Re: Fiberglass problem

Sounds like its a stringer seperated from the hull, could be broken, rotted or bad bond from factory layup, you won't know until you dig into her, but it can and will come apart if not tended to soon, as that is already evident based on your findings, I know its sounds bad but is fixable.<br /> My brother split his 1987 16ft Grew from bow eye to stern along both lifting strakes on each side you could lose your pen in them, tore the floor up layed up new stringers and reglassed the entire hull from inside, job was completed for about 900 bucks CDN.

 

[delta breeze]

Re: Fiberglass problem

I would definately look at the forks on the lift at the marina before "I dug into my boat".I've seen some very inexperienced and cheap labor at some marina's.That don't really care about your boat.If it 's on both sides its a common problem.I would like know what you find?? Good luck. Delta Breeze

 

[wgoldsmith123]

Re: Fiberglass problem

After a sleepless night, I went back up to the Marina again this morning to have another look and meet with a nearby fiberglass repair shop.<br /><br />I doubt very seriuosly that the problem was caused by the marina as their are other spots on the hull that I've now notices where the gel coat is chipping away and the cracks are worse than I thought. <br /><br />Based on my conversations this morning and further inspection, my feeling is that I have a stringer problem which leads to the next question of what type of costs are going to be involved to have the center console and floor removed to provide access to the area below. The boat is a great boat, but at some point the costs to repair will out weigh the value. Anyone know of a repair person for this type work in the Charlotte, NC area?

 

[Solittle]

Re: Fiberglass problem

You will get better input if you can post a bunch of pictures. What you describe does not sound good at all. If the stringers are bad the consol needs to come out and then the entire innerliner to get full access to the stringers. Having done that - - -<br /><br />You next need to examine the transom as it is common for the transom to go before stringers and if you have to replace stringers and there is rot in the transom - might as well do the transom while you are at it.<br /><br />You also mentioned rather extensive damage to the hull and gelcoat. Sooooooo that would have to be fixed along with the structural work.<br /><br />Hard to say without pictures but from your description and if you have a good motor I'd be looking for another hull to put it on.<br /><br />I put $3 grand into the transom alone on my 23' CC a coouple of years back and I had no stringer or hull damage.<br /><br />Sorry -<br /><br />I don't know the Stratos but I've never heard of stringers letting go by themselves and causing that type of damage. I would get another opinion or two on the possibility that the damage was caused by the marina. If it was the marina they should have insurance to cover it.<br /><br />Let us know what you end up doing.<br /><br />Interesting!!!

 

[kd6nem]

Re: Fiberglass problem

Since you've owned the boat since new, do you know how any way water could have gotten in and remained for long enough that rot should be a factor? It has always been either stored under a cover or under a roof, right? Seems puzzling that a pampered boat should be showing this much wear. Might end up having to cut an inspection hole into the deck to have a look before ultimately deciding. I think if I had someone lifting my boat every season I'd want to be there with my camera every time it got pulled from the water so I could keep a scrapbook for documentation.