Newport 33 hole in the boat

[auntygayle]

About two years ago we had a hard grounding on our Newport 33. The grounding holed the boat just aft of the keel. The keel was removed and the damage was repaired by the local boat yard. Just recently while sailing in 3-5ft seas in Lake Erie, the repair area has cracked through allowing water in. (This was verified by hauling the boat out. I'm done for the season)
The boat yard says they will stand behind their work, but I am reluctant to have them just do the same repair again even if it is at no cost. Any ideas on obtaining a better repair procedure?

[Freesail99]

Did they use epoxy resin or something else ?

[sailingdog]

How did they repair it? It doesn't sound like they did a very good job of re-glassing the damaged area. In the case of an area that is under such loads, I would use some carbon fiber and kevlar to help strengthen the area being repaired.

However, it is probably going to be a fairly expensive repair unless you have them re-do it. If they do re-do the repair, I would ask about getting several layers of carbon fiber and kevlar added to beef up the hull laminate in that high stress area. I would also recommend that you have them use epoxy resin, which has higher secondary bonding and tensile strengths than polyester or vinylester resins as a general rule, and bond much better to carbon fiber and kevlar.

[JohnRPollard]

Sorry the repair wasn't completed properly the first time. But I would still give them the chance to make things right. Since they will be doing the work under warranty, it would be worth the modest extra expense to also hire a qualified marine surveyor who would first inspect the damage, next recommend the proper method of repair, and then finally both inspect the repairs while they are being performed and after they are completed. By "qualified marine surveyor", I mean someone that has experience and training in structural repairs and understands proper FRP laminate schedules. If you do not have someone like that, you might inquire with Jack Horner in Annapolis,MD to see if he could recommend someone in your area. Best of luck.

[auntygayle]

I like the idea of hiring a qualified marine surveyor. I just need to find one in the Sandusky OH area. I was thinking about adding a stringer to the inside after they completed their repair. Problem is, doing it right and making it look good. There is almost no room between the bottom of the boat and the liner.