Gulf Coast Hull Strength / Boad Hull Strength

[sparkroost]

Hi all, I was hoping I could find some answers from someone in the know.

I recently bought a 20' Gulf Coast High Side. I was pressing on the hull near the bow and aft. It's not rock hard like my buds 18' Champion. From what I understand all these boats are foam filled. The Gulf Coast is a fiberglass composite stringer system. Is it possible that these boats can get waterlogged? Is it also possible that the foam can get damaged such that it will feel soft, or are some boats different than others in terms of hull strength?

I was clipping along at about 40 and had a sudden bang. The rear right of the boat, from the transom forward about 8" had a piece of glass missing. I checked for floating debris on the water, like a log. Nothing I could see. I almost think the glass had a split and the water entered and ripped it off. The boat took on water over a period of an hour before I realized it. If the hull is foam filled.. where was the water sitting in the hull? I think the boat drained for 30 minuted at the boat ramp.

Thanks for your help

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Gulf Coast Hull Strength / Boad Hull Strength

Check out this article:http://www.yachtsurvey.com/Fiberglass_Boats.htm
The composites are a little worrisome to me!

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Gulf Coast Hull Strength / Boad Hull Strength

Sparkroost, I would not think that a piece of glass should ever fall off. Even if you did hit something. Was it possibly a patch from a previous repair? I would expect a crack, if you hit something, but would never expect to lose a chunk of the boat. I hit an island at 35MPH and skidded 75 feet onto dry land without damage(it was really really dark, and the island was only 4 inches above the water line)

 

[sparkroost]

Re: Gulf Coast Hull Strength / Boad Hull Strength

Sparkroost, I would not think that a piece of glass should ever fall off. Even if you did hit something. Was it possibly a patch from a previous repair? I would expect a crack, if you hit something, but would never expect to lose a chunk of the boat. I hit an island at 35MPH and skidded 75 feet onto dry land without damage(it was really really dark, and the island was only 4 inches above the water line)

That's good to know and bad all at the same time. The link above is sure making me feel insecure!

The glass man told me that it looked like there was a previous repair in that spot. Said the color was slightly off. Just so happens that on the left side it was repaired as well, but just before I got the boat. That repair is top notch and is going to be done the same way on the right.

Considering how much water came out the boat when trailored I am wondering where that water was sitting! If it's foam filled shouldn't there be no places for water but the center of the hull?

Another potential problem I see is the fishwell. It's fed from a hose at the transom and sits about 3 ft. from the transom. If the rear of the boat get's heavy the water in the fishwell comes out and fills the cockpit. Once that point is below the water line water will continust be paranoid since my 2nd ride in the boat ended up in mayhem and dissapointment. Don't get me wrong, this boat is very spacious and a shallow runner. Getting it up on plane in 1ft water is no problem at all. Running through 3ft waves is not good for this boat. It's like a whaler in that regard.

Thanks for the input, look forward to others who run this boat and the history of it. http://www.gulfcoastboats.net/

BTW I have a 1974 wellcraft fisherman and it's rock solid after all these years.. just lacks the space I need for a few anglers onboard.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Gulf Coast Hull Strength / Boad Hull Strength

Sparkroost, I am concerned about water in the hull as well. You might like to weigh the boat, and see if it has water trapped i the hull. Look up the weight of the hull and motor on line, acurately estimate the weight of the fuel and trailer. and strip out the rest of the gear.

Water can get into the hull of a foam filled boat. My '88 SeaRay 19' BR developed a crack in the hull. I figured it out because water was bubbling up in the ski well. The boat is foam filled, beneath the floor, except for directly under the ski well. A tiny imperfection in the floor of the ski well allowed the water through.