Cracked Hull

Hi folks, my brother in-law has a Voyager LTD, 18'6" I think.
He went out 2 weeks ago in a slightly choppy sea & on the way back dropped over the back of a wave & heard a rather loud "bang".
He kept going but noticed that the bilge pump was on, automatic switch on.
When he got back to the ramp & on the trailer he had a lot of water coming out of the rear bung even though the pump had been on for half the return journey.
After a quick inspection, he noticed about midships there was a crack across the hull, yes "across" the hull.
Has this happened to anyone else & what was the outcome. Is it repairable or not advised because of the cost to an older boat & the structural integrity of the repair ????
Your thoughts are gratefully accepted.

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Cheers & Stay safe


Adam Gallash's picture

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Date Joined: 29/11/05

Photos

Wed, 2015-09-02 16:03

Hi Rob,

Are you able to get any photos for us to see?

A mates got the 18'6 voyager LTD and given it a fair work out and never had any dramas, good solid boats (well, from my experience in one)

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Date Joined: 18/01/12

 A mate of mine, about 20

Wed, 2015-09-02 17:06

 A mate of mine, about 20 years back did similar except it filled and turned over between Rotto and Freo.
They got rescued, with a nice pic in the paper from a chopper of them sitting on the hull bottom.
Not sure what boat it was but definitely glass.

For any chance of a proper structural repair, it will need access from both outside and inside.
Problem is though, if it has that weakness, there is nothing to say that the same thing wont happen next to it later again.

Just like welding, where, even if the weld or repair was STRONGER than the original base, then the weakpoint will be immediately adjacent.
First thing would be to get a look inside if possible and you'll almost certainly find the crack is beside a frame (athwartships)

Id get it looked at by a REPUTABLE shipwright, but my guess would be find a similar bare hull (there are some good ones of a similar vintage) and shift all the gear over to it. Probably even use the same trailer with some mods.

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chris raff's picture

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Date Joined: 09/02/10

Glad they got back in

Wed, 2015-09-02 17:33

Glad they got back in .

Stringers might be roo ted .. swelled up pressure or rotted with no support and the crack followed the join line after going bang .

Be a big job $$$’s , I’d imagine but would need someone in the know to check it out and then weigh it up .

If he had insurance it may be better taking it back out again .. 
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flexn's picture

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Date Joined: 19/03/12

I have found they usually on

Wed, 2015-09-02 18:09

I have found they usually on one of the chines towards the front section - I have been told the bulkhead tends to separate from the bottom of the hull away ends up slapping on the hull when you hit waves and can cause a crack. 

Happened to one of mine, and someone else I know. Proabably have a photo somewhere.

 

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Date Joined: 23/04/13

 Deckiethey are good boats

Wed, 2015-09-02 18:23

 Deckie

they are good boats however they do have weakness wher the front bulk head meets the nose. I heard one broke off at this point being towed back from Rotto a lot of years back.  Also know off another cracking a across this point.

Anything is repairable but it is all about how much.

i strengthened my Baron with glassed inOregon beams in this area after I heard about the first event.

 

 

Gunner

just dhu it's picture

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New motor

Wed, 2015-09-02 20:22

hey Deckie.   Maybe it's the new motor that gives the boat 40 knots .?? 

Deckie's picture

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Date Joined: 03/04/09

Haha yeah funny about that

Wed, 2015-09-02 21:24

Haha yeah funny about that hey ??????
It was the first thing that crossed my mind...

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Cheers & Stay safe

little johnny's picture

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Date Joined: 04/12/11

Wow broke its back

Wed, 2015-09-02 20:50

 Had big white split my hull.lenght ways not across. Only 1 thing to do. Cut top deck out . Rebuild yourself or insurance. Mine cost me about 2 thou. I didn't go through insurance. Had good mate help me. New deck 70 kilo of resin and glass.good luck. Sorry to hear at least everyone safe

Deckie's picture

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Date Joined: 03/04/09

Thanks for your input folks,

Wed, 2015-09-02 21:26

Thanks for your input folks, I dare say it will be a borderline scrap job because of the cost & I don't think insurance covers structural unless it goes down because of it...

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Cheers & Stay safe

Bodie's picture

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 It did go down didnt it??

Thu, 2015-09-03 11:56

 It did go down didnt it?? :D:D

 

Thats what i would be doing!!!! hint hint

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Date Joined: 29/03/10

Insurance

Thu, 2015-09-03 07:05

If you struck something when you dropped of the wave then it should be covered by insurance. Worth a go if you ask me?

spinksy's picture

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Date Joined: 06/10/10

A mate

Thu, 2015-09-03 10:37

Did a claim and got paid out for a stuffed transom that happened at sea. Tell them you hit something, there is all sorts of shit floating around out there just look at all the wood etc that washes up on the beach. Take it to Greg at GT fiberglass and get his opinion he will do the insurance quote too.