75 23ft. with a big hole

My Sacrifice · #1 04-26-2005, 10:52 PM

I have a serious problem on my hands.I have a hole about 3ft. from the stern on the port side.The hole is about 6in. by 18in. and is at the water line.I have already cut the floor out and prepared for it.When I cut the floor out I relized that someone has already done repairs prior to me and cut all of the foam stringers out except for the back 3ft.I have already cut these out along with the stern in order to start extensive repair.I have pics of everything since I started to show the process but I have not figured the best way to post!!!I would love to know how you pros would recommend to fix the hole?I have been following this site for over 4 years but have never resonded.This is my 3rd. Seacraft inwhich I still own 2.This being my newest one.I was hoping not to have to do much but I was wrong.The holed came in the boat about 7 miles off the NC coast and was lucky and made it back to the dock.The only reason I have decided to fix this boat is it is a 75 model which I have been looking for.I had a 73 and now this 75,also a 77 25ft. Seafari in rebuild which someone else is doing.Anyway I love my Seacrafts I this one I want to redo,so I need help!!!!!!!

FELLOW-SHIP · #2 04-27-2005, 09:23 AM

My first concern would be What Happened. My guess is that because of the Stringer on the inside is missing the added pressure on the boat caused the problem. Next question would be is the hole over the Bunk of your trailer?? Which also talks about the pressure on that area that caused this hole. Then has additional flex because of the above caused additional damage to the fiberglass from your boat weight bouncing up and down in that area. I would think that you will need to take this boat off the trailer (if that is how it sits) and put it on blocks providing access from bottom and top to do repair work. As for the repair work on the hole if that is all you have to fix without digging and grinding until you find firm glass to start the repair process. Then I would look into those little booklets from West System to help you on how to repair holes working from the inside on this one. Then you will need to FIX YOUR STRINGER PROBLEM which probably was the reason why you got the hole in the first place. And then it you boat usually rests on a trailer you need to consider where the bunks are located on the boat to aid not destroy your boat at rest. I would only use epoxy resin on this one and I would form and build stringers or buy some store bought custom stringers for this one. You can find, under the heading of pictures how to post picutres or maybe someone on the board will do it for you if you e-mail them to a volunteer. This one sounds like a job that can be fixed, IF DONE RIGHT which seams that was not the case at first. Good luck.
FellowShip [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

ocuyler · #3 04-27-2005, 09:37 AM

Sacrifice indeed...

Welcome to the site. We really need to see images to get a better feel for the issue. Pictures will draw alot of replies, trust me, so I would spend effort to get those up. You are obviously motivated, so once you determine the cause and then a course of action, you'll have the hull you really wanted in no time. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

I don't think you really have a "serious problem on your hands", only a solution. The serious problem was being 7 miles off NC in a boat with a hole in it.

A similar issue happened to another member recently coming back from the Bahamas. As Fellow Ship mentioned, it appeared that it may have been related to improperly adjusted trailer bunks putting pressure on the hull from bouncing. Once it opens up, hydraulic pressure forces it's way into the layers and can do amazing damage.

ScottM · #4 04-27-2005, 05:18 PM

Posting pics

My Sacrifice · #5 04-28-2005, 12:35 AM

All right guys I am having problems tryin to post pics so I need help or someone to do this for me.I have plenty so if someone can help I would very much appreciate it!!!!

My Sacrifice · #6 04-28-2005, 04:48 PM

Here are some pics [image]

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My Sacrifice · #7 04-28-2005, 04:50 PM

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Captn C · #8 04-28-2005, 05:29 PM

OUCH! That looks pretty nasty....

BUT You've come to right place to find out how to repair that. I'm not the guy, but they are here.

ocuyler · #9 04-28-2005, 07:23 PM

How did you EVER get that boat back to shore???

I'd be interested in what Mike (Wildfire) has to say about this.

My Sacrifice · #10 04-28-2005, 07:57 PM

I actually at times thought we would not make.We run in close to the beach as possible and headed for the inlet.They were 5 of us onboard so everyone but 1 and myself got on the bow.It was a strugle when the water was about ankle deep on the floor.The boat would barely get off plan.Once we got the in the inlet where we were in smooth water we keep the boat in big circles in the no wake zone.As the pumps were catching up my friend manage to get the stern plug out which helped alot.At this time we still did not know were the water was coming from so we had the hatches up a checked all the through hull fittings.Once on full plan no water was coming in because of coarse the hole was above water level.We contiued to the dock and slowed down to load the boat when we relized there had to be a big hole some where as water become very deep in the floor again.We strugled and let 3 people off to get the truck and trailer as we continued to make circles.Luckly they got the trailer down and got the boat on it.I was very suprised to see the size of the hole once on land.I would never think a boat would pull through something like that.Once we sit there and of coarse had to open a beer,I looked at my buddy and told him thank god it was a Seacraft.The water was deep enough that the pressure tore the stern vent off.That night when we got home and put the boat under lights is when I relized the boat had been patched and not a good job of it.So now thats my goal to fix and do it right.I would appreciate any and all help you guys can give.Thanks Michael