SHETLAND OWNERS ASSOCIATION

Morning,

The previous owner had started to renovate and had removed both fixtures to hold the table leg both inside the cockpit and on the deck. They didn't carry on with the renovation and left sally out unprotected from the rain and it got into the foam. Think this happened over a period of about a year. I tried removing portions of the deck to see the extent of the water logging but the more I removed it became apparent that the water had got under the whole floor, seemed prudent to remove totally and replace.

This will also give me the opportunity to fit a stainless fuel tank and build up bases for new seats and install deck fixings etc.

Looking at your pictures of the cockpit area, was there not any stringers going from port to starboard


Mines a Mark 1 and these were present when I rebuilt my deck.

I think due to the weight of a water tank or even fuel, it may be better getting the weight forward, especially if fitting that 115hp engine




Simon

Hi,

stringers were present but not glassed in, will install when refitting the deck.

So are you suggesting the tank goes forward? maybe even into the cockpit (under the deck)

regards

I would say yes to keep weight forward

Im not sure I would like a fuel tank in the cockpit but a water tank would be fine.

Its very important to get the correct nose weight on the hitch and most of the weight will be at the back.

I took mine for a drive over the weekend to test out the trailer and how it tows.
It was like towing a kangaroo, felt like 2 foot forward and 1 foot back.

when I checked the weight distribution it was way too heavy at the back and I could lift the hitch with one hand.

I just presumed that it had been setup correctly in on the first place, how wrong was I !.

My 25litre full fuel tank was in the boot as well.

I have ordered a calibrated nose weight gauge to get it right before I tow it again.

luckily I have plenty of room on the trailer, so moved the winch post 6 inches forward and pulled the boat further on, this made a massive difference to the hitch weight, but will wait till gauge arrives before final position.

the point being most of the weight is at the back so it really important to get the nose weight right, mines a twin axle super carousel 5.5, so its a big trailer. You need to make sure that weight is really distributed evenly when towing and also when the boat is on water as well.

Fixed tanks at the back will just make getting on the plane harder.

Simon

Not sure how the F4 and 570 compare on weight but with my 50hp does have to work hard to get her planing if you've got more than two on board. I'm with you on fuel tanks in the cabin, don't fancy that at all

brilliant replies! keep them coming.

I have another very similar post running in the technical forum, anyone know how to merge them? one for admin maybe??

With regard to stringers under the deck mentioned earlier there were none present when I removed the deck just some supports which were not glassed in. As mine is a mark 2 is this normal?

dij66 wrote:With regard to stringers under the deck mentioned earlier there were none present when I removed the deck just some supports which were not glassed in. As mine is a mark 2 is this normal?

I'd like to know about the presence, or otherwise, of stringers too as I've just discovered I've got water ingress into the hull and if indeed stringers should be present then water has spread through them from the rear to the cabin partition.

What type of foam was in your hull? I'm wondering (clutching at straws?) if I leave the boat out of the water, tilted at an angle to stern, it may drain and dry out?

Good luck with your refit by the way, I may be joining you.

Cheers,
Mike.

Hi Mike, the water had penetrated into the cabin but in patches. When I removed the complete floor including cabin there was damp wood in all areas. The foam is the original open cell foam which basically acted as a sponge.

I do not think draining will work as the wood needs exposure to air to dry and even that will not repair rotted areas. Better safe than sorry in this case and remove everything!!

Hi. I'm about to undertake a similar project to yours only mine is an F4. Are you intending to replace the foam? If so what are you using? Has the Section of the hull where the outboard is attached been affected by any of the rotten timber or is the transom fibreglass? Roger