Keel Flattened on Trailer

[kptrapper]

Maybe one of you guys can help me out. Picked up an 18' Cobia 77 dual console for free. Boat is generally in great shape. Looking underneath, I saw the bottom of boat was flattened out where it had been sitting on the rear roller. I'm replacing the deck, which is wet. Anyone ever see this? Didn't think fiberglass could do this...its hard and can't poke through it from beneath at that point. Should I just live with it? I'm not sure how it will affect the hulls performance, and redecking is time consuming enough, without it all being for naught. Thanks for any help. KPT

 

[Valv]

Re: Keel Flattened on Trailer

I have an older Searay 26ft, trailer did same thing, rollers were putting too much pressure on hull (due to weight of boat)and flatten or slightly curved hull bottom.<br /><br />I replaced rollers with bunks, and solved problem. Rollers have a very small surface area where they contact hull, and for heavy boats it's not enough, bunks offer better surface support.<br /><br />If your boat sits too much on center rollers, you might want to raise a little the bunks or rollers it's sitting on, it will relieve weight on center.

 

[kptrapper]

Re: Keel Flattened on Trailer

Valv...Thanks for the reply. Boat was sitting on a trailer for 2 years with a wet deck, so what you say makes sense. Have to live with it....appreciate the help. KPT