YamahaC40Guy
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- Dec 1, 2008
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Well, never thought I'd have to ask this question, but here I am...hat in hand. :shock: First off, the back story. When I first ran this boat almost 2 years ago, I noticed a slight buckling sound from the bow when I hit waves a little hard. Sounded as though the aluminum was being pushed in, and popping back into shape immediately. I didn't worry, assuming that tin boats are built to flex. Fast forward to this spring, I thought I'd address the very slow leaks the boat had, and did. One was along a seam on the port side, one ahead of the port-side/bottom strake. Water test was a success! With some use (and after hitting the odd big wave, I noticed a slow leak again and upon investigation, noticed that the MarineTex epoxy had chipped off immediately in front of the strake. Slow leak was back, but worse was the realization that this buckling might be putting undue stress on the aluminum just ahead of the strake or at the very least, it was bending here. Here is a crappy illustration of the points I'm talking about;
So, 3 days ago, I was running at about 1/2 speed and hit the wake of another boat fairly hard and heard a sharp crack/pop sound. (along with that buckling sound) I thought it might be a rivet popping, but I was wrong. The slow leak turned into a "not so slow" leak and when I pulled it out of the water, noticed a 3/4" long crack just ahead of the starboard strake. I think this confirms that it is the flex in the hull causing these problems, but I don't want to repair the leak unless I can remedy the flex? What should I do????? Two ideas come to mind, neither of which I think I'm set-up to do. (nor am I sure they will solve it)
1. remove the deck, and have a rib/structure pc. made that runs inside from the mid bench up towards the point of the bow. This would need to be riveted or welded.
2. have boat/floatation foam shot into the cavity under the deck in the hopes that the outward force of the foam would keep things rigid. I don't use this space really, but would give it up to remedy this bigger issue.
Hope you guys have some insight...I'm lost!
Thanks,
Rob
So, 3 days ago, I was running at about 1/2 speed and hit the wake of another boat fairly hard and heard a sharp crack/pop sound. (along with that buckling sound) I thought it might be a rivet popping, but I was wrong. The slow leak turned into a "not so slow" leak and when I pulled it out of the water, noticed a 3/4" long crack just ahead of the starboard strake. I think this confirms that it is the flex in the hull causing these problems, but I don't want to repair the leak unless I can remedy the flex? What should I do????? Two ideas come to mind, neither of which I think I'm set-up to do. (nor am I sure they will solve it)
1. remove the deck, and have a rib/structure pc. made that runs inside from the mid bench up towards the point of the bow. This would need to be riveted or welded.
2. have boat/floatation foam shot into the cavity under the deck in the hopes that the outward force of the foam would keep things rigid. I don't use this space really, but would give it up to remedy this bigger issue.
Hope you guys have some insight...I'm lost!
Thanks,
Rob