Bowed Hull

DarrylK · Apr 28, 2002

I have an old Dumas DV 32" (Fiberglass). I am at the point of attaching the deck to the hull. The hull seems to be bowed out on each side, making it very difficult to line-up the deck. I am afraid I will crack the hull if I force the sides together. I have used strapping tape to slowly align the sides about 1/2 way. I then heard my first crack. I quickly removed the tape.

Can I heat the inside of the hall with hot air? Any suggestions?

HELP!

jklimpel · Apr 30, 2002

I've dealth with this one many times before... buying hulls from e-bay that have sat in someones attic for 20 years unjoined.

You can use some heat (hairdryer or a propane torch with care) around the corners, or anywhere else the fiberglass form is visibly distorted. Beware, when you warm the surface, it will be very prone to distorting even more. In extreme circumstances, stretch rubber bands around the hull (using cardbard or thin plywood underneath to keep the surface true) and heat the corners slowly. Do this a few times, and then leave it overnight.

If you heat too fast, things will crack!!

You can do the same thing on decks or other (once) flat surfaces by clamping a wood splint to the piece, and warming slowly.

When warming, it should get hot to the touch, but not hot enough to burn or scorch.

If the gelcoat does crack a bit, don't sweat it!..but make sure you fix it properly.

Hope this helps.

DarrylK · May 1, 2002

Thanks Jeff,

I have a temp controlled heat gun that I use for shrinking skin onto model aircraft. I will try that first before I us a torch. I will also try the rubber band method, but instead of rubber bands I think I will try using acrylic tubing attached to small turnbuckles.

That way, I will be able to cinch-down specific points with varying pressures as I heat the hull.

What do you think?

jklimpel · May 2, 2002

Darryl,

Sounds like a great idea.

I generally use rubber bands, not because they are necessarily the best solution, but because I can find them in absolutely ANY corner of my workshop. (doh!)

Here is a pic of one of the hulls I had to straighten with this method. Turned out ok. I wish I had 'before' pics.

This one was exceptionally hard to get straight. (I wasnt sure it was even gonna be possible...nor did anyone else) It was so bad, that the guy who sold it to me refunded my $$. (And I didnt complain 1st....he decided it was better than risking bad feedback on ebay...his description said nothing about the deck/hull being warped as hell.

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Bowed Hull

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