23 Tsunami Hull Moisture + Flex

[ericallen01]

Hello CSCers,

I am going over a 1974 23' Tsunami (Sceptre), 1-owner, I/O, and have found some unusual hull flex and moisture readings that don't appear on a similar boat I own.

The moisture and flex is between the inboard and outboard strakes, and begins about 3 feet forward of the transom, increasing toward the bow.

Is this a design feature (light construction)?

Can anyone point to a cause for high moisture readings in the SC glass hull?

The boat still rides fantastic.

Thanks in advance

[kmoose]

How are you seeing the flex? What methods are you determining excessive moisture? I just went through my 74 Tsunami hull and the hull layup seemed unnecessarily heavy. I'm wondering if the hull you are looking at had been submerged or flooded for a duration of time.

[FLexpat]

Originally Posted by kmoose

How are you seeing the flex? What methods are you determining excessive moisture? I just went through my 74 Tsunami hull and the hull layup seemed unnecessarily heavy. I'm wondering if the hull you are looking at had been submerged or flooded for a duration of time.

X2.
It sounds like where you are seeing moisture/flex is where the stringers are - if the foam in them is saturated with water it might explain the moisture readings but I don't have a clue about the flex.

[bgreene]

Typically.........flex / softness = deteriorated structure usually caused by the affect of water on wood over the long term.

30-50 year old boats.......regardless of brand were built with a lot of wood.
Some were properly sealed with epoxy to last longer, some not and deteriorated faster.

It is what it is. Be careful.

[Bigshrimpin]

I found the same thing accidentally (and repaired it) when I replaced my fuel tank. This partially has to do with the way the hulls/stringers were laid up and 40+ years of freezing and thawing cycles (some without a tarp/cover). I hope you don't have the same problem, but I'd be willing to bet this is the issue. It's easier to repair from the inside even if you sawsall through the hull like I did. I have 130+ hours on the boat now after the repair (in some real nasty conditions) and the repair is holding up great.

http://www.classicseacraft.com/commu...t=28644&page=5

[FLexpat]

Didn't even think about freeze/thaw busting the stringers loose. Makes sense.

[kmoose]

Originally Posted by FLexpat

Didn't even think about freeze/thaw busting the stringers loose. Makes sense.

Total sense. Us Florida folks know nothing of the hazards of freezing boats.

[DonV]

Originally Posted by kmoose

Total sense. Us Florida folks know nothing of the hazards of freezing boats.

What the hell is a freezing boat? I know about freezing fish, things like that, but a boat should not be freezing!

[ericallen01]

Thanks for everyone's comments. I agree busted stringers would be most likely behind the hull flex.

Going to investigate further. Think the boat may have grounded pretty hard once, maybe this created some cracking / openings for freeze/thaw damage. Opening it up this week.