What is the 'basic hull deck structure'?

[savageseadog]

What is the \'basic hull deck structure\'?

Having some major work done after someone collided with us while moored (no witnesses /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif) which includes replacement of the toe-rail (were looking at around £10,000 of work so far).

The boat recently passed the 10 year mark and the new for old clause now applies (30% of replacement parts over that age, NOT labour). This clause does not apply to the basic hull deck structure, the underwriters have informed me that i will have to contribute 30% towards all the bits including the new toe-rail, not that that's a problem its just the toe-rail on our boat is the basic hull/deck join (through bolted down the length of the boat) and I believe it is part of this basic hull/deck structure.

Before I write back to them, what does anyone else think?

 

[bigwow]

Re: What is the \'basic hull deck structure\'?

Surly if the toe rail is holding the deck and hull together it is very much part of the basic structure and not a bolted on extra.IMO

 

[ex-Gladys]

Re: What is the \'basic hull deck structure\'?

You could argue that the bolts that hold the toe rail down are the structural bit, they just happen to hold the toe rail as well....

Went through the same thing over the last 18 months. Fortunately the perpetrator was a decent individual and owned up immediately

 

[oldharry]

Re: What is the \'basic hull deck structure\'?

Rotten luck! Anyone doing that sort of damage and not reporting it should be sunk. Mine was hit last year - 4 figure damage but not as bad as yours. No attempt to own up - why not? 99% of us are insured against this sort of damage.

As to ''basic structure'' - the bolts holding top and bottom sections together are part of the structure. If the toe rail is needed to complete the seal on the joint, or to strengthen it, i.e if the joint is not structurally sound without the toe rail, then it does form part of the 'basic hull deck structure'.

If the joint would be unaffected by the removal or omission of the toe rail, then it is not part of the structure.

Without seeing exactly how it all goes together, its hard to say, but if the toe rail is carrying the hull to deck joint bolts, it is almost certainly acting as a backing pad to the bolts, and without it the joint integrity would be seriously compromised as there is nothing to stop the bolts being torn out again when the hull flexes in a seaway for example.

Do you not have an independent Surveyor involved in this? Any surveyor who has worked on a boat of your class should know the answer straight away without having to turn out to check.

 

[PeterGibbs]

Re: What is the \'basic hull deck structure\'?

Replacing the toe rail is most likely a time consuming but straight forward job.

The hull deck joint on a modern GRP usually consists of a curled structure at the edge of the deck that sits on the hull edge, is sealed and through bolted for strength - it is, as you suspect, a vital part of the boat's structural integrity. If not damaged by the collision, all is well, but it is vital to be assured this is the case: I know of folks who have endured unending leaks through damage to this joint.

Adding to other posts, the toerail is usually fixed firmly in place - it takes quite a lot of strain. The rail fixings are usually part of the hull/deck joint structure, so replacing a section of toerail, for instance, will required the whole joint to be re-secured.

PWG

 

[macd]

Re: What is the \'basic hull deck structure\'?

I'm no expert on this and have read the other posts with interest. Clearly the specific structure used on your boat is the crux. I'd assumed that my toe rail had at least some hull/deck structural function, until I recently moored next to a well-maintained identical model which had no toe-rail at all!

Is it possible to contact the manufacturers? A question like 'I propose throwing away my toe-rail and crossing the Atlantic, is this wise?' might throw up an illuminating response.

 

[gjgm]

Re: What is the \'basic hull deck structure\'?

the only way to make progress is to pay for a grp specialist serveyor to write a report;might cost some money, but maybe you could alos use him to verify the works too. Where are you based?