Thanks Bob- that's helpful indeed. I won't worry about the loose liner now that I know there is no rottable core or structural need to bond it back- it's far enough forward I never even noticed it before. All, re the stem, It almost looks like the boat came down hard on a dock that lifted the tip of the deck (see photos below of cracks and what might be a past repair). I'm thinking my best solution is to remove the stem fitting, dremel out the gelcoat all around the cracks and then either push epoxy into the cracks and/or add a layer or two of glass over the area. Any thoughts/advice welcome! Given what Bob said about the liner/deck joint not being structural, I'm think I'm not going to worry about the interior crack, other than to clean and seal (see 2nd photo). Good excuse to buy that dremel tool... Alex On Tue, Jun 2, 2020 at 8:06 AM Bob Eeg <montgomeryboats@hotmail.com> wrote:
Alex The liner is a void (no floatation) up front. The liner is bonded in the hull with wet mat that is resin impregnated. After we lower the liner into the hull we clamp it all around until the resin hardens. A soft spot in the liner Is not serious. The hull deck joint isn’t related to the liner in anyway. Be well Bob
[cid:F98769DF-AA55-4677-91BE-F037ED81F674]
Sent from my iPad
On Jun 2, 2020, at 7:56 AM, Alex Conley <conley.alex@gmail.com> wrote:
I’ve got two questions about the nature of the hull and hull liner of a 1986 m15:
1) what is inside the stem? Is simply a gap between hull, hull liner and deck, or is there some kind of core or structure within? I’m thinking it is a void, and any water entering through a an exterior crack at the deck/hull joint would run down that void and end up pooling up against the bulkhead under the v- berth (where the lump of ballast is in the older boats). Or is there some kind of filling or structure in there?
2) how is the Is the hull liner in the cabin bonded to the hull? Is there any kind of material between the two? I have a section of hull liner in the very bow that flexes as if it it is unattached to the hull, and am wondering if it matters enough to drill some holes and try to rebond it.
Send an earlier email with no response, so am trying again as I really appreciate this groups insights and knowledge!
Alex
