Stiffening Cap of Closed Bow Boat

[atengnr]

My 1968 safetmate is a 15ft closed bow. The trouble with it is the cap is flimsy and flexes up and down when hitting waves. Is there any way to stiffen this up to make this area not flex noticeably? The cap has some wood glassed on it underneath for some structure, but its clearly not enough.



Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Stiffening Cap of Closed Bow Boat

add some more structure underneath.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Stiffening Cap of Closed Bow Boat

My 1968 safetmate is a 15ft closed bow. The trouble with it is the cap is flimsy and flexes up and down when hitting waves. Is there any way to stiffen this up to make this area not flex noticeably? The cap has some wood glassed on it underneath for some structure, but its clearly not enough.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks

Post a picture of the problem area, and also the underside if possable. But if it is flexing, there may be more going on than meets the eye. First check that nothing has separated, come loose, ripped out, etc that makes the structure weaker. If its OK, then beef it up. It may be as easy as gluing on some plywood strips using epoxy. But can't say for sure until the pics are up.

 

[atengnr]

Re: Stiffening Cap of Closed Bow Boat

Thanks. I dont believe there is anything wrong with it as it has flexed like this since I can remember (early 1980s). Essentially, the front cap and dashboard area flex up and down when the boat hits waves...

Dont I need the added wood to tie into the sides of the hull somehow to really make it rigid?

Heres the link to pics of the front of boat and the "upside-down" view of the structure under the cap.

http://s147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/atengnr/Boat_Cap/

 

[oops!]

Re: Stiffening Cap of Closed Bow Boat

the wood peices dont look too bad....but to rein force it....you can just glass some strips on edge under the deck.......

do not...glass them to the hull....keep the hull and deck seperate.....some more strips...half inch thisk by 3 inches wide....but place them on edge when you glass them into place......flat will flex....edge wont.....

use two layers of csm on each strip and cover the whole strip with matt.

cheers
oops

 

[Bondo]

Re: Stiffening Cap of Closed Bow Boat

Ayuh,...

I would think a couple of vertical pieces of wood, from the existing bracing, down to just ahead of the toe-kick would probably do what you want...

 

[atengnr]

Re: Stiffening Cap of Closed Bow Boat

the wood peices dont look too bad....but to rein force it....you can just glass some strips on edge under the deck.......

do not...glass them to the hull....keep the hull and deck seperate.....some more strips...half inch thisk by 3 inches wide....but place them on edge when you glass them into place......flat will flex....edge wont.....

use two layers of csm on each strip and cover the whole strip with matt.

cheers
oops

Thanks for the suggestions. Can I glass upside down, or does the cap need to be removed for this project?

Secondly, can you detail further what you recommend? How do I make 1/2 inch thick glass? DO I make hollow pockets of glass (like the glass around a stringer only without the wood)??

Thanks.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Stiffening Cap of Closed Bow Boat

The wood is 1/2", not the glass.

I think oops suggestion will give you the most room under the bow, but Bondos suggestion is the easiest due to not having to fiberglass upside down.

If you want quick, strong and easy, do like Bondo said and put in two vertical supports from the deck up to the bow meeting the existing supports. You don't even have to glass them in. Just use 1x3 pressure treated dimensional lumber. Attach to the deck by epoxying a piece of 1x3 about 6 inches long to the deck under each support and screw the vertical supports to them. Same where they connect at the top. Be sure to pre-drill so the wood doesn't split. And be sure the screws are not too long so they don't make holes where you don't want them. Apply epoxy to all mating surfaces, as the screws are there to just hold the pieces until the epoxy dries.

The better way is like oops said, and will look more factory original.

 

[atengnr]

Re: Stiffening Cap of Closed Bow Boat

Thanks for the info. Can I use the PL urethane stuff (in place of epoxy), as I have a tube of it??....

So, adding to vertical supports wont put undue point loading on the wood structure under the cap?

Thanks.