Hull delamination - 1994 - 2859-gctid804024

[Guest]

In the process of getting the boat ready to launch this year, came across a section of the bottom (port stern corner on bottom and port side) about 4" that had just completely fallen out. About 1/8" thick piece, white gel coat and what looked to be blue under that. Mechanic checked it out and smelled the piece that came off and it smelled of uncured activator. Couldn't believe that could be possible 24 years later. Fiberglass underneath was dry and in pristine condition. Will post a pic of one of the pieces that came off later.

Cleared back any loose pieces as far I could and covered the area in West Systems epoxy, almost peanut butter consistency. Will sand this smooth and apply a 2nd coat if needed.

Hopefully this doesn't rear it's head in any other area. Always something to worry about!

Has anyone else come across this on a boat this age, no signs of any issues before now.

[builderdude]

Could this be a previous repair that is failing. I don't see any glass fiber in the piece so I'm guessing some thickly laid fairing compound followed by Gelcoat and it's finally let loose :huh:

[Guest]

A repaired section is what we were thinking and hoping for as well. The fiberglass underneath is smooth, and pristine.

Even then this repair is at least 15 years old. Amazed that the activator is still fresh after that much time.

Guess we'll just have to keep a close eye on the rest of the hull. At least this repair is below waterline and will be covered in bottom paint. Not going to worry about re gelcoating. Just epoxy and paint.

[kwb]

Is there any blue gelcoat on the hull of that model? If not the chunk you show doesn't make sense with a normal layup schedule.

I would want to see a picture of the hull in the area of the failure - could be a spot that didn't release properly from the mold and had to be repaired when new.

[Download_Complete]

"kwb" post=804083 wrote:
Is there any blue gelcoat on the hull of that model? If not the chunk you show doesn't make sense with a normal layup schedule.

I would want to see a picture of the hull in the area of the failure - could be a spot that didn't release properly from the mold and had to be repaired when new.

There was never any blue gelcoat on this model.

Something isn't adding up.

[green650]

That does look odd. What color is the fiberglass under that? The thickness of the fairing and the gel coat is so perfect and consistent throughout that it doesn't look like a repair.

[fritzman]

Hi Keith, by what has been described you are dealing with an old repair that failed. you at on track with repairing with Epoxy, good luck. :cheer:

[Guest]

No, the entire hull is white. Mechanic/fiberglass guy guessed the exact same thing that this was a section that didn't release from the mold and was repaired at the factory.

Is the fairing compound typically blue or dark? Is it normal to be put on that thick? I'll be doing some tapping around other areas to make sure sure nothing else likes sounds it's coming loose.

Fiberglass was rose/pink color (after I sanded off the unactivated activator that was covering it.)

[Guest]

"fritzman" post=804127 wrote:
Hi Keith, by what has been described you are dealing with an old repair that failed. you at on track with repairing with Epoxy, good luck. :cheer:

Thanks. Should be only a few day delay in launching hopefully. Would be less if it wasn't stored an hour away right now and I could get up there to sand sooner.

[kwb]

Duraglas is a dark blue green color (depending on catalyst used) - but if there was something that didn't release the mold there would have been fiber tear and not a smooth underside to fair back in against.

Need pics of the hull to get any sort of more informed assessment of this one.

The smell thing doesn't ring true to me either. You can drill a piece of very old fiberglass and it doesn't smell much different than newer or mis-mixed. To really get the smell of MEKP there would be a mix ratio problem of epic proportions. (like 20% compared to 1%)

[Guest]

Already covered up the damaged area, never took a photo of that.

I smelled the piece myself, and definitely had a strong odor of activator, no question about it.

May never solve the mystery, just hope the repair holds up and this doesn't show up in other areas of the hull.