Got a "deal" on a Nacra 5.2, and everything is in order except the prior owner kept the hull strapped down all the time, so there are pretty good indents on the back bottom of each hull where the rollers are (front has cradles -- thank goodness!).

I knew going into this that I would have to do a lot of hull repairs, but can the indentations be "sprung" back somehow? There are no stringers where the indents are, and the location is about a foot in front of the aft inspection port. I have considered putting a properly shaped piece of wood in the boat that should be the approximate shape the hull bottom should be in, drilling a hole through the bottom of the hull and up through the shaped piece, inserting a bolt, heating the area a bit, and tightening the bolt.

I have seen that repairs can be made for boats that have had rollers go through the hull bottoms; that isn't the case here, but is it fixable? I don't mind doing a bit of fairing, but I would like to minimize the cutting!!

Thanks. I am new to this, but these are awesome looking boats, and I had to have one!

bn



edited by: bn, Sep 15, 2010 - 09:58 PM

There should be a bulkhead right where you're talking about. Maybe I misunderstood, but make sure it isn't missing.

I would think that you could add a stringer just like the rest in that spot to help it hold its shape. I wouldn't bold through the hull at all -- epoxy is plenty strong, and west system is extremely easy to use.

--
Rob
OKC
Pile of Nacra parts..
--

Thanks. I will check my locations again!

Regardless, assuming I am correct that there is no bulkhead there, what is the best way to "pop out" the indentations? Once the hull is in the correct shape, a stinger would be great, and I will certainly do that.

Thanks again.

bn

I wouldn't bother. Popping it out will definitely result in further weakening an already damaged laminate. It will give you a false sense of security, nothing more.

I'd read up on laminating (which really isn't that hard to do at all) remove the affected area wth a 10:1 slope around it, (big hole on the inside, small on the outside) cut new glass and bend a piece of plastic covered plywood (the thin stuff) as a mold on the outside and laminate against that from the inside. Press down on it (maybe add a plastic sand bag for weight) and let cure. You get the general idea. You need to apply either gel coat before laminating or paint afterwards depending on your confidence in achieving a decent finish the first go. I'd use paint, but that tends to annoy any purists who may find out!
It all sounds much more complicated than it is! If you have never done it before you might need six hours and a couple more spread out over the next day to fair and paint. This includes cleaning up the mess.

Try to change the trailer so the aft rollers are bearing directly on the aft beam bulkhead (and be anal about this when hauling the boat out!). There are also cradles or pads available at trailer manufacturers and boating supply stores that are much better.

So you unstrapped it to take the pressure off about how deep is the dent? I would be tempted to raise the bows put some water in the hull overnight and see if the water weight will pop the dent back out cant hurt to try it. Have any photos of the dent?

fa1321

So you unstrapped it to take the pressure off about how deep is the dent? I would be tempted to raise the bows put some water in the hull overnight and see if the water weight will pop the dent back out cant hurt to try it. Have any photos of the dent?

most likely this is a permanent deformation of the material, not simply a dent that can be popped out

If it is a pemanent dent could he just fill it with West Systems epoxy and 404 bonding filler a couple of times to build it up and then do one layer with 407/410 fairing filler sand it flush and gelcoat it?

Try flipping her over and see if the hulls pop back.

A few weeks ago on a busy weekend the #!!****%% paddle board concession on our beach was taking up boating beach real estate and there were no landing spaces save one next to the corrugated metal seawall at the end of our beach. We squeezed in but a wave caught the stern and slammed the wall before we could pull her up on the beach. This put a nice dent in the hull right below the rear beam. I was pissed! Next day however there was no dent just a hairline crack in the gelcoat.

Folks,

By PURE serendipity, when I was looking at the dents in the hull caused by the trailer rollers two days ago, I happened to move the boat aft on the trailer, putting the roller directly under the bulkhead. When I went to see the boat today -- no dents! I am so psyched. Needless to say, I am taking the rollers off this weekend and going with 1x6s covered in plastic grass to spread the load.

I can't thank y'all enough for all of the suggestions. Since this is a project, I will comb the archives to look for answers before troubling you with what will to you be silly questions. I am smart enough to know that someone who subscribes to this site has likely seen everything, and I am not interested in reinventing the wheel. My interest is in getting the boat out!!

Thanks again.

bn



edited by: bn, Sep 16, 2010 - 07:01 PM

bn,

I just bought a 5.2 cheap myself so I will be digging around for some info too! Glad to hear it poped out I have seen that happen once before but it was near the bulkhead in the front.

I carpeted my rollers - and never leave pressure between boat and trailer...so far its worked like a charm!

fa1321

bn,

I just bought a 5.2 cheap myself so I will be digging around for some info too! Glad to hear it poped out I have seen that happen once before but it was near the bulkhead in the front.

Been looking for a solo boat! keep me in mind if you ever part with the 5.2!