Soft spot on bottom of hull

[SANDMAN]

Need some help, while sanding bottom found soft spot  about 4 feet from transom and 2 feet from side, Soft spot is 2ftx2ft area. Could be stringer broken or delaminated, and need advise on best solution to repair.The soft area I can push by hand and flex very easy but the rest of hull solid and transom solid. Thanks, sandman.

[johnnyhunt1]

SORRY TO HEAR SANDMAN LINER IS PROBABLY SEPERATING FROM HULL A NOTED PROBLEM WITH AQUASPORTS AS FOR THE FIX BEST FIX IS CUT FLOOR OUT HAVE TO REGLASS STINGER AND LINER UNLESS SOMEONE KNOWS ANOTHER WAY GOOD LUCK!!!!

[JimCt]

If you feel the soft spot simply by pushing on the hull from the outside, likely its more than a stringer problem.  Strong possibility the internal laminations of the hull itself have failed... either from severe pounding, impact with something or resin starved glass.

[SANDMAN]

Could it have something to do with sitting on a roller trailer for  2 years? the old trailer rollers lined up there and took alot of rear weight because it was a short trailer . Check the rest of hull and its solid, My fiberglass man will look at it and tell me the best way to fix the problem. If the stringer pulled lose wouldn't the soft spot be larger or the lenth of the stringer?Lucky I found this problem before I splashed her to test the new motor out , that would of been bad sight if she sunk! Thanks for your advice and suggestions there welcome always! Sandman

[RickK]

I agree with Jim. The hull bottom is pretty thick and should not push in very easy.  On some new boats I've seen, the hull sides have been flimsy but the bottoms were stout.  Delam is a good bet and the rollers.... I bet that is why some boat builders don't allow roller trailers.

[aqua70]

Soft spots are usually a result of a chemicle breakdown in the fiberglass.
Fleetcrafts were famous for this.  It usually an improper mixing of the resin or a reaction with contaminated glass cloth.
     I would thoroughly check the rest of the hull.

[fishbonz]

Sandman-

Had same symptom on my 222 flatback.  Ended up being stringer pulling away from hull.  Easily fixed from inside and now I have a nifty new inspection hatch in the deck!!  Contrary to popular belief, the hull is not all that thick that it won't oilcan if not connected to the stringer.  Can't guarantee that yours is the same issue, but you're going to have to cut a hole in the deck regardless to find out.

M