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Hull Flex Near Bow

Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2016 8:22 pm
by jsa
The hull of my C22 has a bit of flex on both sides of the boat near the bow. Maybe only a foot or so of flexy area. It feels to be relatively equal on each side. Is this by design or is this a sign of delamination? The rest of the hull is solid.

Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2016 5:18 am
by Reality
sounds like delamination IMO

Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2016 5:36 am
by jsa
That would be my guess as well, but I was hoping it just may be a common thing. I pushed around on the bows of some of the other boats around the club and several of them also had some flex in this area. I'll admit I'd rather it be rock solid though.

Is there a preferred "fix" for this, other than cutting out and replacing glass?

Has anyone else experience delamination on their C22? The decks are very solid, as is the rest of the hull. It is just an area about a foot or two off of the bow. The bow itself does not have any flex in it at all. How concerning is it? Obviously a completely solid boat is better, but how much does it reduce the safety of sailing the vessel?

Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2016 6:25 am
by MichiganBill
I have the same condition. It's my impression it's been like this for quite a while. While I would like everything to be solid, it can't move much - so I question whether it's a big deal.

Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2016 6:37 am
by C22Bob
My C22 has the same flex in that area, both sides. I would assume it's the design. At that area, boat doesn't need a lot of fiberglass structure.

Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2016 8:08 am
by Capt. Bondo
Above or Below the waterline?

Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2016 9:21 am
by C22Bob
On mine, above the waterline and couple feet back from bow just like JSA described on his.

Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2016 4:10 pm
by jsa
It's above the waterline. The boat itself is water tight, or so it seems so far. It was dry as a bone after riding out TS Hermine a couple of weekends ago.

Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2016 4:31 pm
by Capt. Bondo
I had to check since Happy Place is in the yard getting it's mast re-wired (pictures and story to come).
I would not worry about it if there is no cracks in the gel coat. It's well above the waterline, and not in an area that takes a load often.
I also have flex where you described. The inner liner just does not contact the hull in that area, but is very close behind, on the starboard side I feel it hit the inner liner when I pushed on it

Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2016 5:01 pm
by astrorad
I have done extensive work on my boat, 1976 C22, and have never noticed any flex in the hull where you have described. I have sanded the entire hull and I would think that I would have noticed it. As others have said...it probably is not a worry as I do think that this is a thinner section of the hull.

Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2016 5:10 am
by jsa
Thanks everyone. My situation sounds similar to Capt. Bondo's. Upon further inspection the starboard side does have more flex and I can also feel/hear it outer lining contact the inner.

So, it's sounds like possible delam but perhaps it's nothing to be concerned of for now. I'll certainly keep an eye on it. I know some boats are prone to it in some areas and perhaps this is one of those cases. I agree that it is not in a high stress area.

I still think she is a solid boat. She's already brought me more joy than I had dreamed of and I know there is much more in store!