Hull "indentations"...help!

cat228 · 10-08-2008, 14:15

My husband bought an older 23 Ft Clipper Marine sailboat. On one side where it rests on the trailer rollers are flat spots, or shallow indentations. The cause is unknown, could be simple old age. The finish around these areas is flaky, not peeling yet. Other than these problem spots the boat itself is in good shape.

The boat hasn't been in the water yet so we don't know if it might leak there...hope not!

He's new to sailing and doesn't use the computer, so I'm throwing this out there for him. Any advice or suggestions on how to repair these spots would be greatly appreciated.

Cat

forsailbyowner · 10-08-2008, 14:27

The flaky area is probably the gelcoat cracking from repeated flexing. Not too much to worry about its fairly common on most older boats eventually somewhere. Is it still on the trailer" They may return to shape when launched. Nevertheless Id put more pads or better yet bunks on the trailer. The rollers should be placed so they rest on interior bulkheads or some kind of structure. Worst case scenario is glass underneath is fractured and just held together with roving. Would involve grinding out bad areas and laying in new glass. Glass isnt difficult to work when you know process but fumes, dust and whole process is obnoxious and uncomfortable.

**David M** · 10-08-2008, 15:03

Please don't take offense to this as I mean no ill will, but given it is a Clipper Marine boat, your hull is probably thinner than most boats of similar size and weight. Most trailer boats will not have much hull deflection if supported correctly.

Check inside the hull where the indentations are for cracking or delamination of the fiberglass. If there is any cracking or delamination, then you do have a structural and therefore possibly a safety problem.

As Cat said in the previous post, you may consider replacing the rollers with bunks, as this will distribute the boats weight over a larger surface area of the hull and reduce further flexing and indentations.

You can also take your boat to a boatyard or marine surveyor and get a professional opinion from someone who can have a look at the problem in person.

**Ex-Calif** · 10-08-2008, 23:56

Our boat had "bedsores" from being stored on the hard and a slight indentatino on each side near the stern.

Now that she is in the water constantly the indentations are gone. I wonder if the fiberglass has a memory.

10-08-2008, 14:15	#1
cat228 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1	Hull "indentations"...help! My husband bought an older 23 Ft Clipper Marine sailboat. On one side where it rests on the trailer rollers are flat spots, or shallow indentations. The cause is unknown, could be simple old age. The finish around these areas is flaky, not peeling yet. Other than these problem spots the boat itself is in good shape. The boat hasn't been in the water yet so we don't know if it might leak there...hope not! He's new to sailing and doesn't use the computer, so I'm throwing this out there for him. Any advice or suggestions on how to repair these spots would be greatly appreciated. Cat

10-08-2008, 15:03	#3
David M Moderator Site Helper Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Francisco Bay Posts: 2,712	Please don't take offense to this as I mean no ill will, but given it is a Clipper Marine boat, your hull is probably thinner than most boats of similar size and weight. Most trailer boats will not have much hull deflection if supported correctly. Check inside the hull where the indentations are for cracking or delamination of the fiberglass. If there is any cracking or delamination, then you do have a structural and therefore possibly a safety problem. As Cat said in the previous post, you may consider replacing the rollers with bunks, as this will distribute the boats weight over a larger surface area of the hull and reduce further flexing and indentations. You can also take your boat to a boatyard or marine surveyor and get a professional opinion from someone who can have a look at the problem in person. __________________ David Whenever I find myself growing grim...whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul...I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can. -HERMAN MELVILLE, Moby Dick Last edited by David M; 10-08-2008 at 15:42.

10-08-2008, 23:56	#4
Ex-Calif Moderator Site Helper Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Boat: Maxi 77 - Relax Lah! Posts: 2,935 Images: 4	Our boat had "bedsores" from being stored on the hard and a slight indentatino on each side near the stern. Now that she is in the water constantly the indentations are gone. I wonder if the fiberglass has a memory. __________________ Dan Relax Lah! Changi Sailing Club

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10-08-2008, 14:27	#2
forsailbyowner Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: cruising currently Jacksonville Fl Boat: Morgan 33 Outislander Magic Posts: 97	The flaky area is probably the gelcoat cracking from repeated flexing. Not too much to worry about its fairly common on most older boats eventually somewhere. Is it still on the trailer" They may return to shape when launched. Nevertheless Id put more pads or better yet bunks on the trailer. The rollers should be placed so they rest on interior bulkheads or some kind of structure. Worst case scenario is glass underneath is fractured and just held together with roving. Would involve grinding out bad areas and laying in new glass. Glass isnt difficult to work when you know process but fumes, dust and whole process is obnoxious and uncomfortable.