name that hull deformity

[martyg]

So I have this '95 17.5 Osprey that is in absolute mint condition - and used often to fly fishing out of.  The right rear quarter has a dimple in it, and the chine is angled down slightly.  This also exists on the left side, although it is not as pronounced.

Before I purchased the boat I contacted Aquasport and they indicated that it was most likely the result of foam contracting and drawing the skin and chine in.  They indicated that it would not hurt anything structurally.

There is not a hint of a crack in the gelcoat, the transom is rock solid and there is no delamination, that I can see, on the inside.

Any thoughts?



http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i280/ ... arter2.jpg

[JimCt]

Foam, I don't think, would cause those distortions.  Clearly, if you bought the boat new that way, the dimples were "built-in" and not a result of any repair work.  Also, the condition is symmetric which leads me to think that in assembly some component, possibly the stringer grid, was jamb-fit somehow and not trimmed to fit as it should have been.  I doubt the condition is any more than cosmetic.  Maybe the guy who restores it in twenty years or so will pull the deck off and discover the cause.

If you can, post a picture or two of the dimpled areas.  Maybe someone here has the same hull condition and will offer some other thoughts.

[billh1963]

Without pictures it's hard to say what the potential cause might be.

Boston Whalers are known for having having hull "deformities" from the foaming process. They are purely cosmetic. Do some research on http://www.continuouswave.com and see if any of the pictures shown look like what you are describing.

That may give you an idea of a potential cause.

[martyg]

Thanks for the feedback.  I will get more pictures shot when I have a chance and post them to photobucket.