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Fiberglass Covered Hull Leak

Framing, planking and fairing. Repair, or reconstruction. If it's hull related, you'll find it here.

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Lyndon
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Fiberglass Covered Hull Leak

Post by Lyndon » Sat May 21, 2016 7:50 pm

Hi -
I am new to wood boats and have found these forums very helpful. I appreciate the great intel and sharing of information.

I recently purchasing a 1948 Runabout (17'). It hasn't been in the water for 15 years. The hull (below water line) is covered in what appears to be fiberglass. I put it in the water and ran it - ran well with some manageable leaking. After I put it back on the trailer, I noticed at the bottom of the hull in front, there is about a 12 inch hairline crack on one side beneath the bow that leaks. It feels like the fiberglass is separated from the wood along the crack (pictured)
Hullcrack2.JPG
.

I would appreciate any suggestion on the best approach to repair this.

joanroy
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Re: Fiberglass Covered Hull Leak

Post by joanroy » Sat May 21, 2016 8:23 pm

I don't think you'll like my answer, but the " best approach" to fixing a glassed over 1948 wooden runabout bottom is to remove the fiberglass skin and replace the bottom. That's a little more than a hair line crack, and your right, the fiberglass is delaminating. I suppose you could try to grind out the bad glass area and patch it with more glass, but it will never be right and continue to be a problem down the road.

If you spend a little time searching around this site you'll find all kinds of info and advice on boat bottom repair and replacement of this vintage and type bottom. Most willl agree that glassing over a wooden hull is not a good thing. Welcome and good luck. Post some more pictures of your boat.

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mfine
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Re: Fiberglass Covered Hull Leak

Post by mfine » Sun May 22, 2016 6:41 am

In my opinion, that is a dangerous situation and you have a boat that could suffer a catastrophic failure and sink at any time. The combination of wood, fiberglass and water trapped in there creates a perfect environment for rot that you can't see. You may have large sections of planking and framing that have little strength left and the fiberglass is insufficient to hold it together. That could be why the glass has already started to crack.

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Re: Fiberglass Covered Hull Leak

Post by jfrprops » Sun May 22, 2016 9:15 am

that looks especially bad...I am with the above posters...

John in Va.
1980 Fairchild Scout 30
19?? custom Argentine Runabout 16'
1954 Whirlwind deluxe dual ckpt 16'
1921 Old Town Charles River 17' (founding Captain, James River Batteau Festival)

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Doug P
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Re: Fiberglass Covered Hull Leak

Post by Doug P » Sun May 22, 2016 12:13 pm

jfrprops wrote:that looks especially bad...I am with the above posters...

John in Va.
YEP

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Captain Nemo
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Re: Fiberglass Covered Hull Leak

Post by Captain Nemo » Sun May 22, 2016 5:10 pm

DITTO.
Boats are to be made of wood, otherwise, God would have grown fiberglass trees.

Jim Bell
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Re: Fiberglass Covered Hull Leak

Post by Jim Bell » Mon May 23, 2016 6:57 am

Glassing a wood hull is a big mistake. What you are seeing is likely only part of the issues with the hull. Good luck.

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robertpaul
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Re: Fiberglass Covered Hull Leak

Post by robertpaul » Mon May 23, 2016 6:05 pm

I am afraid that I agree with the serious cautions you have already received. I do not know where you live but you should check your Federal, State and or Provincial regulations. In Canada you would face criminal charges for putting out in a boat you know to be unseaworthy. The safety regulations are there for serious reasons. My advice would be to go back to the seller and make the case that they sold you an unfit boat.
1937 35' Double Stateroom Enclosed Cruiser

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Doug P
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Re: Fiberglass Covered Hull Leak

Post by Doug P » Mon May 23, 2016 6:24 pm

Lotsa luck with that

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robertpaul
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Re: Fiberglass Covered Hull Leak

Post by robertpaul » Mon May 23, 2016 6:30 pm

Nothing ventured...
1937 35' Double Stateroom Enclosed Cruiser

jfrprops
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Re: Fiberglass Covered Hull Leak

Post by jfrprops » Mon May 23, 2016 7:28 pm

AH HECK.....not to be totally downers.......you could dig out the bad stuff....scarf/sister in some new...and glass it all over again.....I would dare say it would then be a good as some glass mess made in the 70's was the day it popped out of the mold.
Get a few years of service and safe as some of that early Tupperware junk.

John in Va.
1980 Fairchild Scout 30
19?? custom Argentine Runabout 16'
1954 Whirlwind deluxe dual ckpt 16'
1921 Old Town Charles River 17' (founding Captain, James River Batteau Festival)

bflaherty
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Re: Fiberglass Covered Hull Leak

Post by bflaherty » Tue May 24, 2016 1:54 am

John, let's try to keep the discussion productive and civil... Most of the early "Tupperware junk" as you call it was actually built with sold glass hulls with wood stringers and transoms. Not glass over planked wood like this case.

In this case scarfing out the bad might wind up meaning that you have to remove all the glass. Which might just lead to rebuilding the bottom correctly anyway. There is nothing wrong with a true Tahoe style fiberglass bottom as long as it is well taken care of and maintained (much like any bottom structure).
Brian Flaherty
1969 Chris-Craft Cavalier 17 Ski Boat "TUPPERWARE"

"You'll never discover great lands, with your feet planted in the sand"

Jim Bell
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Re: Fiberglass Covered Hull Leak

Post by Jim Bell » Tue May 24, 2016 6:45 am

jfrprops wrote:AH HECK.....not to be totally downers.......you could dig out the bad stuff....scarf/sister in some new...and glass it all over again.....I would dare say it would then be a good as some glass mess made in the 70's was the day it popped out of the mold.
Get a few years of service and safe as some of that early Tupperware junk.

John in Va.
Really John?..Seriously? A newby asks a question from who he thinks are informed wooden boat people and you give him this? :shock:

boat_art
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Re: Fiberglass Covered Hull Leak

Post by boat_art » Tue May 24, 2016 7:16 am

You have to be kidding to tell this owner to repair this and "go boating". Let's try to offer responsible advice here!
Tom
http://www.boatartgallery.com
1956 CC Connie 47'
1959 Caulkins bartender
1965 Cheoy Lee Frisco Flyer
1953 Chris Craft Holiday
1941 Chris Craft Deluxe
Plus 8-12 customer boats at any time
God don't count the days spent messing around in wood boats.

Greg Wallace
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Re: Fiberglass Covered Hull Leak

Post by Greg Wallace » Tue May 24, 2016 8:04 am

Lyndon,
I am not good enough to provide a definitive diagnosis on the benefit of one photo. If pressed I would tend to suspect there are likely major underlying issues supporting the majority of the comments.

I have personally, however, been surprised to find very sound structure under a few delaminating glassed over hulls.

I see nothing wrong with a careful investigation to determine the viability of a repair that might safely delay the inevitable for a more convenient time if that would fit your circumstances. Until you check you really won't know but be prepared for the bad news.

Peel off the loose glass and check the wood beneath. Check the inside all over for a possible sense of the condition of the hull structure. If you find mush (rot) or breakage to any degree then you are pretty much done and should reconcile yourself to the
course of action recommended in the majority.

Join the ACBS as well as this outfit and reach out to local members for advise and perhaps hands on help with your inspection.

Please remember to be "safe" in selecting your course of action.
Greg Wallace 23 Custom 22166 former Chris-Craft dealer Russells Point, Oh.

jfrprops
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Re: Fiberglass Covered Hull Leak

Post by jfrprops » Tue May 24, 2016 8:13 am

Tell you what Tom.....This is not my first rodeo and I would never give dangerous advice here or anywhere else....plenty of repairs of the sort I suggested are entirely ok.....my mention that many boats built after that one were bad on day one is entirely correct....neither of us has seen the boat....I was trying to not be a total naysayer since I had seen nothing but the photo. Your comments on my comments were overly strident.

Go Boating.

John in Va.
1980 Fairchild Scout 30
19?? custom Argentine Runabout 16'
1954 Whirlwind deluxe dual ckpt 16'
1921 Old Town Charles River 17' (founding Captain, James River Batteau Festival)

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Doug P
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Re: Fiberglass Covered Hull Leak

Post by Doug P » Tue May 24, 2016 11:51 am

Can't we get along....let's just all go buy Roamers and "go boating" 8)

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mfine
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Re: Fiberglass Covered Hull Leak

Post by mfine » Tue May 24, 2016 12:17 pm

Doug P wrote:Can't we get along....let's just all go buy Roamers and "go boating" 8)
Roamers rust!

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Doug P
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Re: Fiberglass Covered Hull Leak

Post by Doug P » Tue May 24, 2016 12:52 pm

mfine wrote:
Doug P wrote:Can't we get along....let's just all go buy Roamers and "go boating" 8)
Roamers rust!
Show me your bottom and I'll show you mine :lol:

boat_art
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Re: Fiberglass Covered Hull Leak

Post by boat_art » Tue May 24, 2016 4:31 pm

I stand by my comment.
Tom
http://www.boatartgallery.com
1956 CC Connie 47'
1959 Caulkins bartender
1965 Cheoy Lee Frisco Flyer
1953 Chris Craft Holiday
1941 Chris Craft Deluxe
Plus 8-12 customer boats at any time
God don't count the days spent messing around in wood boats.

boat_art
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Re: Fiberglass Covered Hull Leak

Post by boat_art » Tue May 24, 2016 4:41 pm

Wood boat with fiberglass over it, a split in the glass, clear signs of separation of the glass from the wood. That is the only photo I need to say that you have serious safety issues here.
Tom
http://www.boatartgallery.com
1956 CC Connie 47'
1959 Caulkins bartender
1965 Cheoy Lee Frisco Flyer
1953 Chris Craft Holiday
1941 Chris Craft Deluxe
Plus 8-12 customer boats at any time
God don't count the days spent messing around in wood boats.

jfrprops
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Re: Fiberglass Covered Hull Leak

Post by jfrprops » Tue May 24, 2016 5:01 pm

You two guys can stand by your comments all you want....but Tom chastised me and said I told the poster to "Go Boating"...my usual sign off.....NO I DID NOT.....read my post. That misquote is substantive because I just was laying out my hope that the boat could be repaired.....and I know not what the depth of the problem is....but I only suggested the fellow work on it....not launch it.

In the cause of peace among friends let me just conclude by pointing out that not everyone has deep enough pockets to do the best practices bottom job....some have not the resources nor the will....and some not the skill...but I think we should temper our advice in a way the encourages folks to work on their boats and learn for themselves what works and what does not.

I have repaired boats large and small...there are more innovative repair products and techniques out there than ever before.

When I say Go Boating I mean it....when I don't I don't.

John in Va. Going boating!
1980 Fairchild Scout 30
19?? custom Argentine Runabout 16'
1954 Whirlwind deluxe dual ckpt 16'
1921 Old Town Charles River 17' (founding Captain, James River Batteau Festival)

boat_art
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Re: Fiberglass Covered Hull Leak

Post by boat_art » Tue May 24, 2016 5:11 pm

You are right. You didnt say "go boating".
I dont often comment on other peoples advice but in a case of serious safety issues, which this is, I had to say something. As a former Coast Guard rescue crewman who has pulled numerous bodies out of the water I get concerned when I see this type of situation.
If money keeps someone from boating safely, then its type to do something else. If money keeps someone from having the brakes on their car repaired they shouldnt drive it.
Tom
http://www.boatartgallery.com
1956 CC Connie 47'
1959 Caulkins bartender
1965 Cheoy Lee Frisco Flyer
1953 Chris Craft Holiday
1941 Chris Craft Deluxe
Plus 8-12 customer boats at any time
God don't count the days spent messing around in wood boats.

boat_art
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Re: Fiberglass Covered Hull Leak

Post by boat_art » Tue May 24, 2016 5:14 pm

robertpaul wrote:I am afraid that I agree with the serious cautions you have already received. I do not know where you live but you should check your Federal, State and or Provincial regulations. In Canada you would face criminal charges for putting out in a boat you know to be unseaworthy. The safety regulations are there for serious reasons. My advice would be to go back to the seller and make the case that they sold you an unfit boat.
Kudos to Canada for these types of laws. I cant believe the USA doesnt have these!
To,
http://www.boatartgallery.com
1956 CC Connie 47'
1959 Caulkins bartender
1965 Cheoy Lee Frisco Flyer
1953 Chris Craft Holiday
1941 Chris Craft Deluxe
Plus 8-12 customer boats at any time
God don't count the days spent messing around in wood boats.

jfrprops
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Re: Fiberglass Covered Hull Leak

Post by jfrprops » Tue May 24, 2016 7:04 pm

Thanks Art....understand your point of view.....and thanks for your service.

John in Va.
1980 Fairchild Scout 30
19?? custom Argentine Runabout 16'
1954 Whirlwind deluxe dual ckpt 16'
1921 Old Town Charles River 17' (founding Captain, James River Batteau Festival)

boat_art
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Re: Fiberglass Covered Hull Leak

Post by boat_art » Tue May 24, 2016 7:10 pm

No worries John.
Tom
http://www.boatartgallery.com
1956 CC Connie 47'
1959 Caulkins bartender
1965 Cheoy Lee Frisco Flyer
1953 Chris Craft Holiday
1941 Chris Craft Deluxe
Plus 8-12 customer boats at any time
God don't count the days spent messing around in wood boats.

Lyndon
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Re: Fiberglass Covered Hull Leak

Post by Lyndon » Thu May 26, 2016 9:05 pm

Thank you all for the feedback. I appreciate all the input. My hunch was I'd have to open it up, but was hoping there might be a less invasive way of checking it out. Looks like I have my summer project. I will post some pictures when I open it up.

A few boat pic's below. Original name was "Sluggo". It appears to have been in Lake Arrowhead, CA for many years.

Thanks again.
Boat1.JPG
Boat3.JPG
Boat2.JPG
Boat4.JPG

boat_art
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Re: Fiberglass Covered Hull Leak

Post by boat_art » Thu May 26, 2016 9:54 pm

Beautiful boat! Thats a candidate for a proper bottom repair job!
Thanks for showing it! Waiting for your updates!
Tom
http://www.boatartgallery.com
1956 CC Connie 47'
1959 Caulkins bartender
1965 Cheoy Lee Frisco Flyer
1953 Chris Craft Holiday
1941 Chris Craft Deluxe
Plus 8-12 customer boats at any time
God don't count the days spent messing around in wood boats.

Jim Bell
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Re: Fiberglass Covered Hull Leak

Post by Jim Bell » Fri May 27, 2016 6:06 am

boat_art wrote:Beautiful boat! Thats a candidate for a proper bottom repair job!
Thanks for showing it! Waiting for your updates!
Tom

+1 8)

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Captain Nemo
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Re: Fiberglass Covered Hull Leak

Post by Captain Nemo » Fri May 27, 2016 9:16 am

Nice boat! Be sure to post pics of your work. You will find many clever folks on The Buzz that are more than happy to help. :D
Boats are to be made of wood, otherwise, God would have grown fiberglass trees.

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