Tips on repair of this impact damage

[jayc]

Hi folks,

I've dabbled with grp many times but this is without a doubt the biggest repair I've considered doing. Could you give me some advice on how I should tackle it or if it would be worth just getting a shop to do it
Damage is from a jetski hitting the boat whilst moored.



Hull is split both sides of the deflection. Stress cracks allong the bottom. Top deck is split along the overlap.

[marshmat]

Hi jayc, welcome aboard.

As to the boat.... OUCH.

It is hard to tell from the picture what the hull laminate actually is. If you could post a few more shots, that would be helpful, especially good in-focus shots of the broken edges.

I'm guessing that the boat is not insured against such damage, and they never caught the rogue jet-skier?

It's likely that the topsides of this hull are cored, either with foam or with balsa. Solid fibreglass, bashed in to that degree, would still tend to spring back somewhat. But if the core has sheared apart or delaminated, the only way to repair it would be to pretty much rip out and replace most of the hullside.

The deck is a structural component on hulls like this. The hull-to-deck joint should not have split apart like it appears to have done; this makes me suspicious that it was never properly bonded in the first place (a more common build error than you might thing).

If you can post some more detailed photos, a few of our fibreglass experts might be able to give some suggestions. But if- and I do say if- it is repairable, it will most likely be a tedious, complex and expensive job.

[mydauphin]

Probably not worth it. Better pictures, better answers, but in meantime...
1. If you own boat and it is paid for, no insurance. Buy a cheap hull and move mechanicals to new hull.
2. Make mold for bad section, make a new piece and graft it on.
3. Try to straighten and reinforce from inside of hull.

For repair of fiberglass, always match type of glass, and bond new glass to old glass with epoxy. Be careful of repair shops that offer a quick fix and bondo over cracks.

Bottom line, It can be done, a lot of work and money to do it right.

[jayc]

Cheers for the replies guys.

Boat is insured and so was jetskier but hoping for a payout and salvage retention so would be possibly be looking at a diy repair if feasable.

Hull is a layer up of chopstrand and woven matt. Top deck is chop/woven again with reinforcing ribs running across.

The top deck overlaps the hull for a "shoe box fit" and is fixed with self tapping screws ever 6" or so. These have riped through. The top deck has raised up due to the deflection but looks like it would spring back if the hull was pulled out.

Will try and take some better pics.

[mydauphin]

Did the Jetskier survive?

[PAR]

The damage doesn't look so bad, probably a clean set of breaks.

You have to get at the back side of this damage to do a good inspection and repair. Do you have this access?

The PVC rub rail and insert are likely still available, so it's just a matter of grinding out the broken up laminate, replacing this with new, fairing it out then paint. I don't know about the stripe which is probably vinyl, but a new one could be painted or cut at a sign maker shop.

What is your insurance company saying?

[jayc]

"Did the Jetskier survive?"

Unfortunately yes The ski was untouched. I considered mastercrafts to be well made and strong but they are not a patch on sea doo skis!

[ondarvr]

Its a little hard to tell from that pic, but the damage may not be all that bad.

It looks as if the side was pushed in and didn't pop back out and only has a couple of fractures, this is common. Typically you can get inside and push it back into place, it should takes its original shape again, it may need a little convincing though. Then you just need to repair the damaged glass, if you can get to the inside (and you'll need to) then the repairs will be fairly easy.

[Itchy&Scratchy]

Hi JAYC

Please wont you pm me or email me with your e mail address, I see you cant be e mail ed on your profile.

I take care of most of the fibreglass repairs for Mastercraft around the midlands and South and have seen this type of damage before. Please give me a shout before you attempt this and I will tell you all you need to know.
cheers

Justin
jsdent1969@btinternet.com