Sealing a U22 Hull ( temporarily) b/4 restoration

[dmcmillan]

Hello

Newbie question (as my teenagers tell me)

Have a beauty of a '50 U22, aging 5200 bottom though -especially sloppy around the stern, and want to extend this years season before a total restoration.

Any thoughts on a 'seasonal-sealing strategy'?

Thx,

[boat_art]

Interesting... how old is that 5200 bottom?

[Captain Nemo]

Post some pictures.

[boat_art]

Post some pictures.

And more info....does it stay in the water or on a trailer, will it 'soak up', etc?

[dmcmillan]

Boat bottom was redone more than 8 years ago. We store it on a loadmasters trailer and then use on weekends. No water currently found after we used a flashlight while launching and found two transom boards leaking while launching. So maybe some seams need to be sealed before launching.

We used a flashlight while launching and two planks above waterline were the cause of the leak.

[boat_art]

8 years is no where near the normal life of a well done 5200 bottom. is the leaking above the waterline when the boat is at a high angle during launch?

[joanroy]

How long ago did folks start doing 5200 bottoms, and have they withstood the test of time?

[boat_art]

i've done them for over 25 years at least. havent had a complaint yet.

[dmcmillan]

Boat_art - You are quite correct. When we're launching is when we see the water leaking through the transom boards above the H20 line. Sounds like you've heard this one before.

[boat_art]

Heard it, seen it done it....pictures would help anyway. We love 'baby pictures' on this blog

[boat_art]

Thats a good sign tho....it tells me the hull below the waterline is holding. The 5200 system is only used up to the waterline (first plank above the chine).

[boat_art]

One thing to remember....when loading/unloading, dont treat her like a fishing boat. Be sure you immerse the trailer completely and that you dont try to pull it up on to the trailer with a winch. These should be loaded in a deep ramp where you can float the boat all the way on.

[dmcmillan]

Thanks boat_art
I had to reload three times to get her evenly set onto the loadmaster trailer last outing.
That piece of detail would've saved me a lot of mental anguish.

[boat_art]

This is where guideposts are useful. Tall pvc posts that will stick out of the water on the aft end of the trailer when it is fully immersed.

[Don Danenberg]

Exhaust pipe at transom is the only (and usual) place water can ship while loading with a true 5200 bottom, for at least 3-4-decades.