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Uncertainty on Wood Locating Diagram Accuracy

Posted: Tue May 19, 2020 3:07 pm
by Jeffrey Stokes
I recently purchased a 1985 15 CENTER CONSOLE, hull stencil number 5A9115. It is the Boston Whaler boat I have always wanted.

Regarding the wood location diagram that I found on CONTINOUSWAVE: the diagram notes that hulls prior to 5A0857 only have a strip of wood [reinforcement] down the centerline [of the cockpit], and hulls after that have the entire cockpit deck reinforced with wood.

I assume [my hull with stencil number 5A9115] has the entire deck [reinforced] with wood. I called Boston Whaler to be ask them to confirm. They seemed to confirm this, but they did not sound too convincing.

How can I confirm with confidence which wood configuration my hull 519115 has?

Thanks--Jeff

ASIDE: This 1985 boat overall is in good shape. Its trailer and engine need some care.

Re: Uncertainty on Wood Locating Diagram Accuracy

Posted: Tue May 19, 2020 11:12 pm
by jimh
The wood locating diagram for the 15-foot hull that is available for download from

http://continuouswave.com/maintenance-l ... haler.jpeg

is a true image of an actual Boston Whaler drawing No 15022400. Any notes or remarks that appear on the drawing are notes and remarks added to the drawing by Boston Whaler.

I don't have any inclination based on your impression from a telephone conversation with some unidentified person at Boston Whaler that the drawing cannot be relied upon to be accurate.

If you want to survey your own boat to locate the wood reinforcement in the cockpit deck, you are welcome to undertake that project. If you have good hearing and develop some skill in interpreting the sound made when the hull is tapped, you may be able to interpret the sound of tapping the hull which indicates there is embedded wood reinforcement under the laminate and distinct from the sound made by tapping on an area with no reinforcement.

You could try to train the acuity of your hearing by practicing on areas of the hull where you have no doubt or uncertainty or disbelief or lack faith in the accuracy of the wood locating diagram provided by CONTiNUOUSWAVE, and by listening for a subtle change in the sound when you tap in an area with wood reinforcement compared to an adjacent area without wood reinforcement.

Or, you could make a series of test borings into the hull and inspect the holes for indication of wood.

Q: How will confirming with confidence if the wood locating drawing is accurate affect your use of the boat?

Re: Uncertainty on Wood Locating Diagram Accuracy

Posted: Wed May 20, 2020 10:02 pm
by Jeffrey Stokes
Thanks for the input jimh. I'm [NOT] really questioning the accuracy of the drawing, I'm just a new Boston Whaler boat owner, and want to be as confident as I can be prior to drilling holes in my boat.

The Boston Whaler representative mentioned the tapping of the handle end of a screwdriver, saying there would be a distinct difference in the sound. As you say, it is likely something I'd need to train my ear on.

As to how it will affect the use of my boat, I want to add a cooler seat at the CC and another in front of the CC for storage. Additionally, I'd like to add pad eyes on the starboard side in the stern to strap the fuel tank. There are already pad eyes on the port side for batteries.

Re: Uncertainty on Wood Locating Diagram Accuracy

Posted: Wed May 20, 2020 10:15 pm
by jimh
You probably want to add FOOTMAN'S LOOPS and not padeyes.

Re: Uncertainty on Wood Locating Diagram Accuracy

Posted: Wed May 20, 2020 10:22 pm
by jimh
Q; If you think the drawing is accurate, why are you doubtful about the wood reinforcement on your boat?

The stencil number of your boat is thousands higher than the stencil number cited as the epoch when the change occurred. Hull 5A9115 was made about 8,258 hull production sequence numbers after 5A0857, the stencil number when, according to the drawing, the change occurred.

Q: What is your basis to think that after making 8,258 hulls with the new wood reinforcement layout, when your hull was build the factory spontaneously reverted to the wood reinforcement they were using 8,258-prouduction hulls earlier?

Q: Do you have another other source of information that contradicts the drawing?

Re: Uncertainty on Wood Locating Diagram Accuracy

Posted: Wed May 20, 2020 11:19 pm
by Jeffrey Stokes
Hi Jim
Please cancel my account. I really don't have the time, or inclination, to deal with people such as yourself. I have always wanted a BW, and finally found one I am happy with. I was only looking to this site to try to learn more about BWs, and share in the excitement of BW ownership. All being said, it is not work my while to deal with people like you. I wish you the best.

Re: Uncertainty on Wood Locating Diagram Accuracy

Posted: Thu May 21, 2020 6:53 am
by jimh
No problem. I feel exactly the same, that is, I also do not have the time or inclination to deal with you. However, I will comply with your final request.

I have answered all your questions. Apparently you do not wish to answer any of my questions. A discussions should not be a one way process.