Big boat problem

[corndog]

The insurance adjuster called today . He'll go see the boat . I mentioned the cracked hull and he said the stringer in other cases had been damaged by gasoline . The stringer is foam filled , I think he said , and the gas dissolves it weakening the hull resulting in a crack . He said the design is flawed allowing an electrolysis effect to occur . I haven't seen it myself . He said WESTSIDE FIBERGLASS REPAIR does good work .

That's good to hear he said this. So he is saying your gas tank"srpung a leak" and destroyed the foam. Then the lack of the foam not being there destroyed your hull?That would basically tell me that you did not damage the boat which could have destoyed the tank.So lets move on to what may have caused the hole in your tank,

1. It magically appears with unicorns and magic? No
2, Jewish lightning? No (sorry no harm meant)
3. Mechanical breach? No
3 electrolysis? Maybe?
4 Other? Doubtful.

If you ask what may

[corndog]

That's good to hear he said this. So he is saying your gas tank"srpung a leak" and destroyed the foam. Then the lack of the foam not being there destroyed your hull?That would basically tell me that you did not damage the boat which could have destoyed the tank.So lets move on to what may have caused the hole in your tank,

1. It magically appears with unicorns and magic? No
2, Jewish lightning? No (sorry no harm meant)
3. Mechanical breach? No\
3 electrolysis? Maybe?
4 Other? Doubtful.
5. Someone shot your boat and killed the tank. Dont think so but wasnt there.

If you ask what may caused it.

.Magic bullet theory would be someone dropped a nut or piece of carbon steel in the hull when they built the boat. This will cause electrolysis between two dissimilar metals. If it was a small bolt the electrolysis would be localized around the piece of carbon steel. Corrosion could accelerate around the edge due to crevice corrosion. Corrosion also accelerates if it is in an area where there was a weld performed. If a proper welding procedure was not in place and followed one can have sigma phase in the heat affected zone of the weld. This can cause embitterment and lower the tensile strength which make the stainless more likely to fail.


I can get more detailed if I have more information and a good nights sleep.

My next technical posting will be on the ethanol hoax which every shade tree mechanic thinks is the reason their boat wont run.

Peace out!!

[corndog]

What if that gas connection to the tank was leaking could that have started this and it just took a long time to show it ugly head? The size of the hole makes me think different. I would expect if the electrolysis was over the whole tank equally the hole would be more of a pin Prick and maybe even in one or more ares.. Just a thought,

[plugger]

You certainly Have your thinking cap on . The tank is aluminum and the insurance guy said it was a design flaw . A number of Explorers have had the same tank and stringer / crack problem .

[Gilbert]

sell it and buy the 25' mowdy that is for sale.

[plugger]

It has to be fixed before I could sell it , Gilbert . The repairs are approaching the boat value . No , now I'm putting too much money into it to sell it .

[plugger]

$4,500.....new tank , shipping , protective coating , protective anode , labor etc .
$1,125.....rework cradle , rubber strips cushion on cradle , labor , etc .
$2,600.....optional outside hull deep scratch , Chip repair , recoat glaze , labor

3-4 weeks to accomplish



Explorer is bankrupt , Dargel acquired hull design only. , insurance doesn't cover it .

[Root Canal]

Explorer is bankrupt? I can see why.How many boats did they sell with this crappy gas tank installation. Seems like
there would be a class action law suite.
Why would you put an aluminum gas tank in a salt water boat with no anode protection.
This doesn't seem fair to me. How about a little jail time.
What type of tank are they putting in??

[Curmudgeon]

That bites, Henry. Sorry.

[JT]

Explorer is bankrupt? I can see why.How many boats did they sell with this crappy gas tank installation. Seems like
there would be a class action law suite.

no odds are quite like suing a "bankrupt corporation"...

[Root Canal]

Your right JT.
I shouldn't be putting up post after drinking Bourbon.

[SCHU]

That really sucks big time. Sorry!

[H.Maier]

Makes me sick to my stomach for you, Plugger. That stuff just ain't right.

[plugger]

It's the same gas tank as the original because of the problems inherent with making a different tank fit the cradle and boàt dimensions as I understand it . But , as noted , the coating and grounding / anode , rubber cushion will be better than the original setup . I've had the boat about 10 years and if I get another 10 years use out of it I'll be 75 years old . Heck , I may not make it to 75 or be all stove in and a drooling Alzheimer's captain launching it in the neighbors swimming pool .

On the other hand , TERMO and HMAIER are doing pretty well at 75 .

[H.Maier]

Lol. Termo's as tough as an old barnacle on a creosote pole. I, on the other hand, have had my better days.