Deterioration around thru hull

Livinondreams · #1 (**permalink**) 09-01-2010

I went and looked at a westsail the other day and was concerned when I noticed decay around a thru hull fitting. It seems to be a pretty deep gap at the area with the blue paint about 1/4 inch away from the fitting itself. Although this is a non cored hull, is that a serious issue or could it just be patched?

Stillraining · #2 (**permalink**) 09-01-2010

Hey Livin hows it going!

Its not a deal breaker if its an isolated thing..

If it were me Id pull the through hull and grind back to good glass and rebuild it up...Install a proper backing plate and bolted flange seacock she will be better then new.

Livinondreams · #3 (**permalink**) 09-02-2010

Its going good,back on the prowl for another boat!

The westsail had a fairly recent survey and it seemed pretty good. Its just that one thru hull that has that problem but considering how thick the westsails hulls are I am hoping its not too serious.

JohnRPollard · #4 (**permalink**) 09-02-2010

Hey LOD, good to hear from you!

From your description, that doesn't sound too serious -- but would definitely need attention/repair. Also, it might be wise to seek a professional opinion (marine surveyor) before purchasing.

Which model Westsail is that you're looking at?

Livinondreams · #5 (**permalink**) 09-02-2010

Its a factory finished 28. It needs a little love but it isn't in too bad of shape.

SlowButSteady · #6 (**permalink**) 09-02-2010

You might consider relocating the thru-hull (if you can) and grinding out, then patching the bad spot. That way you won't have to worry about the thru-hull being on a slightly weaken spot. An epoxy-glass patch, properly done, should be plenty strong. But, by moving the thru-hull to a "virgin" area, you can be doubly sure that the patch won't have any added stresses on it.

sailingdog · #7 (**permalink**) 09-02-2010

Regardless of whether you move the through-hull and patch the old spot or patch the old spot and keep the through hull there, I would highly recommend you follow Maine Sail's tutorial on installing through-hulls and use a decent fiberglass backing block, or one made of G10 garolite if you don't want to make up a backing block yourself. Bed the backing block in thickened epoxy so that it spreads the loads onto the hull evenly.

Stillraining · #8 (**permalink**) 09-03-2010

Wha'ca gonna do with the contessa?

Livinondreams · #9 (**permalink**) 09-03-2010

Doesn't sound too bad, maine sail's tutorial seems pretty helpful. As always thanks for the info!

Stillraining, I ended up selling the contessa to a local at the yard after I moved and was going to school and working. (I had started realizing that I may had bitten off more then I could chew with that project)

But that way I was able to save up a little more money and now I can get a little less of a project.

Stillraining · #10 (**permalink**) 09-03-2010

Right on...did you ever complete that diesel mechanics course?