Steve,
The delamination isn't a difficult
concept to understand, just a lot of labor to fix - especially if it is in an inconvenient location.
See... the "laminate" is (put simply) a layer of
fiberglass, then a layer of balsa or foam, then another layer of fiberglass. Delamination is when those layers separate from each other. Sometimes this occurs with
water trapped inside and sometimes not. Usually it is with water in between the layers though.
To fix this problem, you must make a very shallow (not deep) cut in the hull to cut away one of the layers of fiberglass to get at that
core. You then must put in a new
core and re-glass the part of the hull you just cut away. Now do this again for every spot you have that is delaminating. You see how it can get labor intensive, right?
Often the most cosmetically correct way of doing this is to do it from *inside* the hull in order to preserve the gel coat and finish on the exterior. You tear out cabinetry, etc... then do your cut from inside the boat to access the core. That way, you leave a hideous scar inside and it gets hidden anyway.
I post this so you can get a feel for what is involved in repairing delamination. Hope it helps.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Oz_Steve
Thanks for all your replies guys. It is greatly appreciated - even if it isn't quite the answer I was hoping for. I think it's invaluable the advice to "buy with your head and not your heart."
I'll be honest and say that I know very little about fibreglass, delamination, moisture or repairs to it, so I guess I really don't have a grasp on the depth of the problem. I've always been told fibreglass can always be easily repaired.
I'm putting the surveyor in contact with the boat yard and between them I'm asking them to come up with a price and recommendation to repair the damage. Dependant on that I'll decide if I proceed or not. The consensus is that the delamination could possibly have been done by an impact or an incorrect lift. If this is the case and I get it repaired properly, then would I be likely to get delamination in other areas? I guess I'm wondering if this is likely to be a vessel that has delamination and moisture issues and as a consequence will continue to develop more issues, or is this likely to be a one off?
Thanks so much for all your comments.
It really helps
Steve
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