I have the begining effects of "OIL CANNING" on my 5.2. It is starting on the insides of the hulls in front of the cross beam. I wanted to know if any one has fixed this problem in their own cat or has any idea of how to repair it.
Thanks
If it's within about 3.5 ft. of the x-beam, easy fix. Put in a port and re-glass the stringer that came loose. This is assuming it's a 1985 or earlier (eggshell + stringer construction). I don't like the idea of ports forward of the beam, but I did this on the 5.0 I had before my 5.2, and it made a 100% improvement.
Use medium wt. glass cloth and a good epoxy (not polyester, if possible). The oil-canning is usually because the stringer (looks like half a toilet-paper tube glassed inside the hull) has separated from the hull, or become soft. Use 2-3 progressively larger layers of glass extending 6inches or so above and below the stringer. Be sure to squeegee all the excess epoxy out of the glass, if you're worried about weight 😉
Good luck - they're great boats!!!
Michael C.
Michael-
I agree with you on how to resolve this problem! As for the ports I wouldn't worry about it- Almost all the 18 square sailors I know put them "up there" to help keep the hulls dry-
Another option if you don't want a port or need more access or have "soft" decks is to replace the decks (a little pricey if you get from NACRA but you can make a "mold" off the boat first and make up your own new decks IF you tear up the old ones getting them off). If it's a "foam" boat (ie post 1985) you can simply ADD a stringer in the region- use a gift package paper roll split in half and taped (use tape on the INSIDE of the roll so won't block bonding to hull) to the inside of the hull and then glass over as Michael described-
Kirt
How far in front of the cross beam did you put your ports on your 5.0? Is there a bulk head in that area? I wouldn't want to cut into one. I was thinking of puting the ports within 6-8 inches or so in front of the x-beam. Any thoughts?
The bulkhead should be under the beam. It'll feel much harder than the rest of the hull, and you'll probably even be able to "see" it, by the stress cracks in the area. 6" ahead of the beam is probably fine, dependent on how far forward you need to get to. And how long your arms are.
Make sure, when putting in a port, to 5200 it into snugly in place with no screws tightened, so you don't warp the port. After 48hours of dry time, then you can insert/tighten screws. 'Course, with a real thick bead of 5200, screws might be redundant 😉
Good luck - they really are a lot of fun.
Michael C.
Thanks again for all the info. It looks like this is going to be my new project in the next couple of weeks.