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- Jan 30, 2009
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Ok, I'm sure many will find this interesting ...
I have an 89 2655 Ciera SunBridge ... really sharp looking vessel. really wish it was a twin engine but oh well.
Picked up this project ... and this is what I have been able to gather.
In the process of the idiot's blatant ignorance to steer into unsure waters at high speed he managed to locate an unmarked (so he says) sunken barge. It looks like the the keel struck the sunken barge about 2/3rds back and caused the keel to flex up and split for at least 4' to 5' while shaving off a good .25 to .50 inch of keel where the damage is. The vessel proceeded on till the stern drive hit the magically appearing sunken barge and literally ripped it from the gimbal ring. The vessel retained enough speed to where the vessel finally sank it 2' of water.
Now the fun really begins ... <G>
I've done a few restorations, transoms were a specialty at one point, so I'm not going into this blind. The engine is out so I removed the 1' tall ?bulkhead? that sits in the engine compartment behind the fuel tank only because I found it was rotten. Easy repair ... and it let me look up under the fuel tank to check out the damage. No sign whatsoever ... not even a visible crack but I'm sure it's there as I can get seepage if I run water into the area under the fuel tank. Went in to the back cabin and pulled the bilge panel where there is another ?bulkhead? in front of the fuel tank and I can see where the ?bulkhead? is cracked, but the keel area looks solid, I even took an ice pick to see if I could gouge into an unseen crack but found that section solid and there is no seepage if I put water in here till it reaches the crack in the ?bulkhead?. Really tight space but with a bit of contortion the repair can be made pretty easily to the ?bulkhead?. As for doing any repairs under the fuel tank from the engine compartment ... there is maybe 5" of clearance so I have to either uncap the vessel to effect the repair (really not an option) or the repair will have to be done from underneath. Thought about removing the engine bunks and pulling the fuel tank out but when I measured the length of the tank ... it's to long. Not sure how the tank is secured in the bilge but it is solid as well and does not leak.
My plan ... and where I need input.
It's easy enough to block the vessel up on the trailer to get to the area, so I plan to grind out the damage and feather it back removing any delamination. At this point the areas around the area to be repaired should be solid and free of weeping which would be a sign of further delamination. (more grinding and feathering)
From what I have gathered I should use EPOXY (vs polyester resin) and 1708 moving to a lighter material as I reach the surface of the hull.
Am I correct in using epoxy vs polyester resin?, the layup material ... am I correct or is there a better recommendation? Obviously I need to to ensure the repair is water tight, sealed against water invasion and that the adhesion is compatible with the existing hull material. I've used the 3m marine stuff from walmart on numerous projects but I believe its polyester based. Otherwise this will be my first project where I will be working overhead so I'll be concerned with avoiding any voids in the wet out but due to the thickness of the repair, should I do a few layers and let it cure sanding in between layups for adhesion?
I have read numerous forums looking for similar repairs to no avail or at least to the specifics I'm looking for.
Any advice is welcome and thanks in advance.
I have an 89 2655 Ciera SunBridge ... really sharp looking vessel. really wish it was a twin engine but oh well.
Picked up this project ... and this is what I have been able to gather.
In the process of the idiot's blatant ignorance to steer into unsure waters at high speed he managed to locate an unmarked (so he says) sunken barge. It looks like the the keel struck the sunken barge about 2/3rds back and caused the keel to flex up and split for at least 4' to 5' while shaving off a good .25 to .50 inch of keel where the damage is. The vessel proceeded on till the stern drive hit the magically appearing sunken barge and literally ripped it from the gimbal ring. The vessel retained enough speed to where the vessel finally sank it 2' of water.
Now the fun really begins ... <G>
I've done a few restorations, transoms were a specialty at one point, so I'm not going into this blind. The engine is out so I removed the 1' tall ?bulkhead? that sits in the engine compartment behind the fuel tank only because I found it was rotten. Easy repair ... and it let me look up under the fuel tank to check out the damage. No sign whatsoever ... not even a visible crack but I'm sure it's there as I can get seepage if I run water into the area under the fuel tank. Went in to the back cabin and pulled the bilge panel where there is another ?bulkhead? in front of the fuel tank and I can see where the ?bulkhead? is cracked, but the keel area looks solid, I even took an ice pick to see if I could gouge into an unseen crack but found that section solid and there is no seepage if I put water in here till it reaches the crack in the ?bulkhead?. Really tight space but with a bit of contortion the repair can be made pretty easily to the ?bulkhead?. As for doing any repairs under the fuel tank from the engine compartment ... there is maybe 5" of clearance so I have to either uncap the vessel to effect the repair (really not an option) or the repair will have to be done from underneath. Thought about removing the engine bunks and pulling the fuel tank out but when I measured the length of the tank ... it's to long. Not sure how the tank is secured in the bilge but it is solid as well and does not leak.
My plan ... and where I need input.
It's easy enough to block the vessel up on the trailer to get to the area, so I plan to grind out the damage and feather it back removing any delamination. At this point the areas around the area to be repaired should be solid and free of weeping which would be a sign of further delamination. (more grinding and feathering)
From what I have gathered I should use EPOXY (vs polyester resin) and 1708 moving to a lighter material as I reach the surface of the hull.
Am I correct in using epoxy vs polyester resin?, the layup material ... am I correct or is there a better recommendation? Obviously I need to to ensure the repair is water tight, sealed against water invasion and that the adhesion is compatible with the existing hull material. I've used the 3m marine stuff from walmart on numerous projects but I believe its polyester based. Otherwise this will be my first project where I will be working overhead so I'll be concerned with avoiding any voids in the wet out but due to the thickness of the repair, should I do a few layers and let it cure sanding in between layups for adhesion?
I have read numerous forums looking for similar repairs to no avail or at least to the specifics I'm looking for.
Any advice is welcome and thanks in advance.
