GRP hull repair on Peloponnese circuit

Cardo

Cardo

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Good afternoon, fellow sea gypsies

Some of you may be aware we've been suffering from suspected water ingress for the last few weeks. This morning we discovered this is coming from a small crack in the GRP, near one of the corners of the moulded grounding plate recess. Apparently, it's a known fault where cracks can form as a result of stresses on the keel and associated grounding plate.

To begin with, I'm going to attempt to patch the crack on the inside using some two part epoxy stuff that I got to seal a hole on the engine's exhaust manifold. Hopefully this will stop any more water getting in, at least in the short term.

In the medium term, I'm wondering if there is anywhere decent on a Peleponnese circuit (We're on the south of Cefalonia, about to jump to Zakinthos and onwards) where we might be able to haul out the boat and get the hull fixed properly? Ideally, somewhere that doesn't gouge you to lift the boat, and where a good GRP man is available.

Any suggestions, as always, gratefully appreciated.
 
Cardo said:
Good afternoon, fellow sea gypsies

Some of you may be aware we've been suffering from suspected water ingress for the last few weeks. This morning we discovered this is coming from a small crack in the GRP, near one of the corners of the moulded grounding plate recess. Apparently, it's a known fault where cracks can form as a result of stresses on the keel and associated grounding plate.

To begin with, I'm going to attempt to patch the crack on the inside using some two part epoxy stuff that I got to seal a hole on the engine's exhaust manifold. Hopefully this will stop any more water getting in, at least in the short term.

In the medium term, I'm wondering if there is anywhere decent on a Peleponnese circuit (We're on the south of Cefalonia, about to jump to Zakinthos and onwards) where we might be able to haul out the boat and get the hull fixed properly? Ideally, somewhere that doesn't gouge you to lift the boat, and where a good GRP man is available.

Any suggestions, as always, gratefully appreciated.
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Could I suggest you get in touch with Kevan Whittle - he's resident in Levkas and a surveyor - so he's likely to know someone who'll do a good job locally.
The only people I know are in Preveza and Kalamata
Kevin's e-mail is <orion361@yahoo.com> tel # 0030 6946354096
 
Jim Barselman will know but in the meantime I would have thought you could get the job done at Kalamata. The again, you're only a days sail from Nidri, Lefkas or Preveza where you'd be able to get the job done. The Pelponnese are not great for getting anything done - apart from Kalamata there really isn't all that much there.
 
duncan99210 said:
Jim Barselman will know but in the meantime I would have thought you could get the job done at Kalamata. The again, you're only a days sail from Nidri, Lefkas or Preveza where you'd be able to get the job done. The Pelponnese are not great for getting anything done - apart from Kalamata there really isn't all that much there.
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We've read about Kalamata, I think that's where we might try and get this sorted. We've already spent far longer around Lefkas than we wanted and are keen to get on with it. If my patch holds, then we'll carry on towards the southern Peleponnese.
 
Cardo, if you're going to Kalamata, give Johnny Vardakas a ring on +30 6932662481.

My only reservation would be the cost of the lift - but it'll be cheaper there than @ Preveza.

Suggest 1 night stopover @ Methoni on hook and the following day to Kalamata.
 
Having gone for a swim with the GoPro and had a good look at the crack from the outside, I'm reasonably confident we'll be fine to get to Kalamata. Frustratingly, the crack actually looks rather familiar and I think it was there this winter when we were ashore, I just didn't recognise it for what it was.

We'll be making our way, but we'll still stop at a few nice spots on the way.

I've spoken with Johnny. He said he does some "light" GRP work so he wasn't sure he'd be able to help out, but he said he'd come have a look once we're there.

In case Johnny can't assist, are there any other recommendations?

Also, seeing as Kalamata is part of K&G, I guess we won't be allowed to stay on the boat whilst it's ashore. Any recommendations for somewhere cheap and cheerful to stay?
 
Yours is not a major repair, I'm pretty sure Vardakas will either be able to do it himself or know someone locally who can do the job. The yacht club there use a Brit who comes over from Nidri when there's something tricky like repairing a holed sandwich hull.
 
Cardo said:
In the medium term, I'm wondering if there is anywhere decent on a Peleponnese circuit (We're on the south of Cefalonia, about to jump to Zakinthos and onwards) ...
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Can't help with your problem, but we are just about to start the same circuit, currently in Argostolion, tomorrow Zakinthos.

Drop by for a beer if you spot us. Yacht Coco-de-Mer.
 
You do seem to have had more than your fair share of trials and tribulations.

Rather than trying to get the epoxy to adhere to a wet area with more water coming in under pressure while it cures, I would take a piece of ply or ali that will cover the area.

Coat liberally with 3 M 5200 4200 or similar and screw on using SHORT selftappers.
 
charles_reed said:
Yours is not a major repair, I'm pretty sure Vardakas will either be able to do it himself or know someone locally who can do the job. The yacht club there use a Brit who comes over from Nidri when there's something tricky like repairing a holed sandwich hull.
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Here's hoping he can sort us out! :encouragement:
But as you say, I'm sure someone will be able to get the job done. SWMBO's a bit worried we may struggle to find someone at this time of year, but I'm a bit more optimistic.

AndrewB said:
Can't help with your problem, but we are just about to start the same circuit, currently in Argostolion, tomorrow Zakinthos.

Drop by for a beer if you spot us. Yacht Coco-de-Mer.
Click to expand...
We're heading down to Zakinthos town tomorrow. Don't know where your first stop is, but I'll keep an eye out for you. Tinkerbell's the rather distinctive small Southerly with the blue stripe at the top of the hull.

TQA said:
You do seem to have had more than your fair share of trials and tribulations.

Rather than trying to get the epoxy to adhere to a wet area with more water coming in under pressure while it cures, I would take a piece of ply or ali that will cover the area.

Coat liberally with 3 M 5200 4200 or similar and screw on using SHORT selftappers.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, the area on the inside isn't flat, so it would be nigh on impossible to get a piece of ply or ali to fit snugly. However, I had some success with the epoxy. First attempt was a failure, but second attempt went pretty well. I've managed to cover most of the crack, but unfortunately ran our of epoxy so I need to get some more before I can finish covering the rest of the crack. Good news is the leak is much reduced!
 
I hope you are really sure that the crack is not a sign of some deeper structural damage. I don't know your configuration, but fin keels and cracks nearby can be lethal.

After Kalamata, you'll find some top quality facilities among the yards on N Aegina. If you log in to my site you'll be able to see a detailed Aegina page comparing the facilities there in some detail
 
jimbaerselman said:
I hope you are really sure that the crack is not a sign of some deeper structural damage. I don't know your configuration, but fin keels and cracks nearby can be lethal.

After Kalamata, you'll find some top quality facilities among the yards on N Aegina. If you log in to my site you'll be able to see a detailed Aegina page comparing the facilities there in some detail
Click to expand...

If you come around to Aegina send me a pm
 
jimbaerselman said:
I hope you are really sure that the crack is not a sign of some deeper structural damage. I don't know your configuration, but fin keels and cracks nearby can be lethal.

After Kalamata, you'll find some top quality facilities among the yards on N Aegina. If you log in to my site you'll be able to see a detailed Aegina page comparing the facilities there in some detail
Click to expand...

Being a Southerly, the boat has a swing-keel with ballast bonded into the hull, so I think we can rest assured it's not another Cheeki Rafiki incident we're witnessing.
Apparently those cracks, due to grounding, are not infrequent in the 95 and are not a major structural threat. However salt water and a cast-iron shoe lead me to think of all those exploding high-alumina reinforced concrete structures of the early 60's.
 
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