Well, after a month or so of work and repair

[Scott]

So your saying that the hull itself is delaminated (the fiberglass lamination) in the area of holes that where placed there for the transducer. Sounds like the woven roven/mat (used to lay the boat up) has been compromised ?? Dose the fiberglass guy think this is through out the hull??
I would think you could "sound" the hull to get a feel if you've got similar issues in other spots on the hull.

That would be interesting to see as I don’t think I have ever seen that type lay up delaminate(not saying that it isnt possible...I really dont know ). As I recall SeaCraft had a pretty robust lamination schedule using alternating layers of mat and roven….I just don’t understand how that could separate, Its like a glued joint in wood … if done properly should never fail in the joint. Between the resin, the mat (which chemically reacts with the resin and forms a bond) and the roven…I personally don’t know how that would come apart ….something cored is a different situation.

Trayders boat , also a 20 , was pretty bad ... such that I recall him saying the hull would flex as it went up on plane (due to busted up stringers) but I dont recall him saying anything about the hull itself delaminating.

AS far as the bottom goes I don’t know if stripping will help determine if there is further delamination as this would be hidden under the gelcoat (I dont think your planning on stripping the gelcoat down to the laminate). If anything you may see some blistering …. But that another story and is somewhat common in older boats that sit in the water. Plus that’s not a big deal to fix.

I guess (a long shot) if the laminate wasn’t wetted out and the holes were not sealed (transducer) water could travel into the laminate …via capillary action …… freeze and delam ….Thats a big long shot/stab in the dark however … I really don’t even know if thats possible

I’m real curious to hear more about this and if others have seen such a situation

[jetroc0088]

Everything you are saying makes perfect sense to me. I don’t see how it would get too bad. A friend of mine had mentioned pulling it out of the water and just going around and taping it to see if we could hear any tone differences, as to indicate soft spots in the hull. I think it is a long shot as well on the hull delaminating. I would bet that if anything it is only around the area of the transducer mount. The guy at the repair shot did say that he thought she still had a few good years in her. I just get nervous when I hear people talk down on the boat I have not had long enough to know better. I see that so many people restore these boats. There has to be a reason!

Thanks,
Chris

BTW: She made it through the night with out sinking wOOt wOOt!

[Ed]

Get a second opinion. The first guy might be trying to scare so that you wind up selling it to him for a song. Then a month later you'll see him cruising around in your old boat.

[Scott]

The first guy might be trying to scare so that you wind up selling it to him for a song.

Why would anyone want to buy an old SeaCraft [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Ed ...When Chris first posted this about the delam ... that was the first thing that came to mind !!!

[jetroc0088]

It is interesting to think about it that way. It seems like that would be the case. I had talked about redoing the transom and maybe a little fiberglass work on the top side. All I have received from anyone is get a new boat!

I for some reason still think I could be a lot better off with my SeaCraft and put another 10k in it than I would be with a brand new Sea Boss.

Chris

[Ryan]

Amen to that [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]