Fiberglass Integrity

B

bigsky

New Member
A "friend", while getting "his" boat and trailer off its winter blocks, used "his" sholder to lift the side of the boat and trailer (there tied together) and slide the wood blocks out.

As "he" was doing this, "he" heard the crunching sound of the fiberglass compressing. When "he" put the boat and trailer down, "he" noticed that where "his" sholder was, now has ripples in the fiberglass. The location is right around the water line and if you run your hand over it, you can slightly feel the ripples, as well as see them. The area is about 10" X 10".

"He" does not see any open cracks but "he" is concerned about the area and wanted to know what, if anything "he" should do about it.

Anyone have any "friends" who have done or delt with the same problem, if it's even a problem?

Names have been left out to protect the guilty!

Thanks,

Bigsky (aka: "HIM")
 
Is this up towards the bow? If "he" can crawl into the cubby, "he" can inspect it from the inside. I wish "him" goodluck.
 
Where on the hull is it? It is likely out of a load area so you are probably good on strength. What probably has happened is the typical situation of fiberglass flexing under load and the less flexable gelcoat cracking over it. While such a situation doesn't look good, it is almost always fine structurally.

Respectfully, all I can say is that "he" was asking for trouble putting probably a hundred pounds plus of force into a concentrated area that is designed for very low compression loads.
 
It's about one foot below the deck, top of the jib car.

"He" has learned his lesson!

Thanks to all.

Bigsky
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top