FRP hull thickness

Some months ago while accompanying a friend to a newly sold semi used 38 ft bayliner, we were adding some clamps around the shaft area in under the lazarrette. I recall there was some rubber thing there, maybe it was the packing. At any rate there was ZERO room to slide a clamp between the hull bottom and the rubber gizmo, likley why there was not one there in the first place. My buddy took out a not very long flat head screwdriver and tried to pry the rubber gently while I eyeballed underneath and tried to pull the clamp through. My buddy got the flathead and started prying and to my horror and amazement, the screw driver bent/flexed/noticably moved the bottom of the hull. This made me nervous to say the least. If a small amount of leverage can flex the hull I would hate to be on that vessel in any kind of weather. I dont know what the thickness is, but I wonder how this could be to USCG specs.

[FAST FRED]

"but I wonder how this could be to USCG specs."

NO Bayliner was ever built to USCG specs for INSPECTED (passenger carring over 6),
uninspected vessels like bayliners can be built of cardboard or ferro-freathers .

To be "legal " for the USCG as uninspected vessel requires life preservers, bilge blowers in gassers , running lights ect.There IS NO hull inspection or standards.

Subchapter T is the USCG term for small boats that carry over 6 passengers.

Less than 6 passengers the same bayliner cardboard box would be OK to work .

USCG thinks its fine to kill 6 or less , but if built to over 6 ,
Inspected vessel, the rules are good and require a very fine vessel.

No bottom flexing here , my Uniflite 50 Launch(ex US Navy ) is 4 inches of solid GRP in places.

FAST FRED

[donjames]

O.K.
You have to respect and understand sail design's position on what he is trying to tell you ! This is not an off the cuff answer ,and certainly don't have anything to do with averages to safety ratios.
You need to obtain solid information on this matter not to mention
reliable information such as the 30.00 dollar answer. Respectfully, That is far less
expensive then the water faucet your going to purchase or the insurance
premium you'll have to pay for the same safety your wanting answers too.

As a life long carpenter,and not to bore you, I can give you a span of 30'
and tell you approx. what the header size should be for load bearing ,
but what I can't tell you is, That I am 100% sure that when the structure is complete and looks great and ready to move-in, Will It FAIL?

I get my answers from an engineer .... Or a Naval Architect.

You'll sleep better at night and you'll probably gets some Educational Knowledge for your ...Just that, Averages.

Honestly....best of luck ...
Donjames

[donjames]

This thread was intended for tdimico with out looking at the date first but I've had the same ??'s and if it lends a hand to anyone else, just for example purposes, great. donjames

[SeaDrive]

It's really just a specific way of asking how a customer can tell if a production boat is well built. And the answer is... ?