Sunray 21 - Water between skins ...

[Steve_tba]

Anyone got any experience of Sunray 21 and how water got between the skins and how to stop it/get it out. The water is under the floor panel and I can hear it squelching when walk on. Do not really want to drill hole to let run out, for obvious reason. Thanks

 

[duncan]

well if it's a red one I know that went from Poole last year the water got in when they flipped it over on it's side earlier in the year at the bottom of the Wareham river - and ended up on the RNLI tv programme being recovered!

however it's more likely to have come in from the top and a leak between the skins within the boat - ie rain/spray/etc

 

[oldsaltoz]

G'day Steve (Steve_tba)

Any craft with a core below the waterline should be avoided, having said that I'm afraid your choices are very limited.

The core material has failed to water contamination / ingress and will only get worse, it must be removed and replaced or hull will be compromised.

It is repairable but is also a messy job, dusty when cutting in and muddy when cleaning out.

You need to establish the extent of the area damaged, this can be done by drilling small 6mm holes along the lowest point about a foot apart to start with, check the material drawn out by the drill for moisture, if wet another hole is required further along till the full extent is known, then drill a foot to each side and so till you know how large the area is.

Then it's time to make a decision about how you plan to fix it or flog it to someone.

We have a done a couple of these in recent years and both leaked into the core via a through hull fitting below the water line. This may not be obvious when you drill your holes, but when you cut the floor out you may find a wet track leading to thru' hull fitting.

The actual repair can be done in one of two ways. You can replace the core material after cleaning and laying at least two layers of glass then fill with a closed cell filler and re laminate over that.

Alternatively to layup the whole underwater area with more glass and feather the edges up the sides / ends to avoid hard spots.

Doing the repairs from inside provides protection for the work in progress, avoids rebuilding, fairing and repainting of the hull and is not visible when completed.

The above is labour intensive and you could reduce the cost considerably by stripping and cleaning the inside yourself then have a specialist do the repair work if you are not confident about doing it yourself.

Avagoodweekend......

 

[cliff]

[ QUOTE ]
Any craft with a core below the waterline should be avoided, having said that I'm afraid your choices are very limited.

[/ QUOTE ]Oh dear, I am sure all Sadler and Etap owners will be very happy to know that /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>

 

[oldsaltoz]

G'day Cliff,

It's been pretty well documented over the years, foam, balsa wood end grain and any other material that will absorb moisture is to be avoided.

When properly repaired there is no reason why they should no sell at a better price than an original.

Avagoodweekend......

 

[cliff]

I must admit I have never heard of any problems with Sadlers or Etaps having problems with water ingress although decks do need some attention iccassionaly if left in hot, hot sun for years.. I have come across several dory type boats that were waterlogged - due to damage to the outer hull and crappy foam filling - more like a sponge.
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>

 

[DaveS]

I'm not sure how far down the Etap's foam core construction goes. I know that the bottom of my hull is solid (at least it was at the place I fitted a new skin fitting a couple of years ago) which surprised me at the time. Thinking about it later, though, it's difficult to see what advantage there would be in having foam below the (normal) waterline.

 

[cliff]

[ QUOTE ]
Thinking about it later, though, it's difficult to see what advantage there would be in having foam below the (normal) waterline.

[/ QUOTE ]Simple advantage - use of dead space for the foam - bouyancy and also insulation. Why have the foam above the waterline where it is taking up valuable space?

Certainly on the Sadler there is no foam core around skin fittings, just solid GRP - same as around the area of the keel bolts.
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>

 

[neil_s]

It might be getting in from a leak in your galley sink outlet - best check this pronto, because the skin fitting on mine was plastic with no seacock! It's a while since I sold my Sunray, but I remember mine had a hatch already cut in the floor by the previous owner. There is only an inch or two of space (no foam).

Cheers! Neil