Sagging springs cause boat damage

[skyking897]

I posted about this problem in the Sylvan boat forum too. 22' Sylvan Offshore boat I'm looking at. The springs are sagged so much the keel guard(think that's the right name) is only 3/4" above the axle and badly hammered from hitting the axle while bouncing up and down while driving. I'm sure new springs will stop further damage but would you say this is a deal breaker or is the damage a non issue?

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Sagging springs cause boat damage

Without checking the hull for damage and an estimate for repairs needed, there is no answer to this.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Sagging springs cause boat damage

The "badly hammered" part would give me pause. You need to find out how extensive the damage is.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Sagging springs cause boat damage

RUN don't walk away! Why buy a known problem? There is always another boat somewhere waiting to be bought.

---Unless you like the challenge and the price is too ridiculous to refuse---

 

[skyking897]

Re: Sagging springs cause boat damage

I guess "badly hammered" was not an accurate description. It is a rounded "V " shape almost like a "U" and has been hit by the axle and is flattened about 3/8" over about 3". No holes or cracks in it that I could see. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I thought its sole purpose is to protect the hull when you hit something like a rock or run aground. If dented as such it will not cause a leak. I just asking here guys, could someone educate me.

 

[skyking897]

Re: Sagging springs cause boat damage

I don't mind putting in a new set of springs to fix the cause but don't want to have a major issue with the keel.

 

[nlain]

Re: Sagging springs cause boat damage

You need someone that knows to look at the damage before you buy the boat, could be a dent, could be hull damage behind the keel guard. I would think that if the keel guard is bent in the hull would be the same shape and need repair, just my thoughts. Keel guards will protect when you beach the boat from scratches and scrapes that the beach material, they were not designed to protect the hull when the full weight of a 3000 lb or more boat bounching on the axle.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Sagging springs cause boat damage

Ayuh,.... Generally speakin',... The Keel is the backbone of a hull...
A Keel that's Beat IS reason for concern...

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Sagging springs cause boat damage

Well, a few things come to mind.

The Sylvan's are usually aluminum....... and are you talking about a dent? If so how deep? An aluminum cover plate can repair that if it is not too bad....... a picture would be nice.

Aside from the sprigs being weak....... it sounds as if the trailer is not set up properly and there may be adjustments on the roller supports OR if it is a bunk trailer then the bunks are too low and need to be raised.

As Bond-o said the keel is the backbone........

 

[skyking897]

Re: Sagging springs cause boat damage

Bob VT-- to answer you, yes it is dented, pushed up about 3/8" along a 3" span. No holes or cracks that I could see.


This is basically what a head on view would be like of the keel
\ / guard. The bottom is rounded.
O



This is kind of what it looks like directly over the axle, flattened
\__/ out.

I'm thinking you may be right about the trailer not set up right. The boat is sitting on 4 bunks but the keel does not touch the rollers

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Sagging springs cause boat damage

3/8" don't sound that bad to me, the keel strip along the bottom is usually riveted in place, and unless it's completely crushed, its likely still usable.
If it were me, the boat would have to be super cheap for me to take the chance or just simply deal with any damage.

I can't imagine what sort of trailer set up puts the axle so close to the hull that it can hit within spring travel? Weak springs or not, if the axle movement is such that it can contact the hull, there's some serious issues with that trailer set up. On all of my trailers, the axle will bottom out against the frame long before it can contact the boat hull.

Got any picks?

 

[crewscontrol]

Re: Sagging springs cause boat damage

On a lighter side......

Now that my wife and I are past 60 years of age, I can assure you that EVERYTHING begins to sag with age. How much damage it causes depends on how you look at life. :redface: