c.1985 OUTRAGE 18

Repair or modification of Boston Whaler boats, their engines, trailers, and gear
publius
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c.1985 OUTRAGE 18

Postby publius » Sat Apr 20, 2019 10:57 pm

Did Boston Whaler use wood in the hull sides on the Outrage 18 in the mid-1980's?

[The hull construction] appears to be foam. The only structural wood is in the deck hatches and transom.

I am new to Boston Whaler boats. I owned Grady-White boats for years. Thanks.

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Phil T
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Re: c.1985 OUTRAGE 18: Hull Construction

Postby Phil T » Sun Apr 21, 2019 6:28 pm

There is no internal structural wood in any Boston Whaler boat except in the transom.

There are pieces of marine plywood in the hatches, tank covers, floor, and gunwalel caps to provide additional strength when attaching console, chairs, railings, cleats and other items.
1992 Outrage 17
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publius
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Re: c.1985 OUTRAGE 18: Hull Construction

Postby publius » Sun Apr 21, 2019 9:50 pm

PHIL--thanks for the reply.

[Phil's description] is [the method of Boston Whaler hull construction that} I thought [was used].

So that all foam could be removed and later replaced, how hard would separation of the hull liner from the hull be to perform?

Joe 15 SS LTD
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NEW TOPIC

Postby Joe 15 SS LTD » Sun Apr 21, 2019 10:47 pm

ASIDE ON A NEW TOPIC: why do you want to remove and replace the foam?

jimh
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Re: c.1985 OUTRAGE 18: Separating Hull and Liner

Postby jimh » Sun Apr 21, 2019 10:55 pm

publius wrote:...how hard would separation of the hull liner from the hull be to perform?


The two hull molded sections of a Boston Whaler Unibond hull are joined when the polyester resin is still wet, so the bond between them is a primary bond.

I can't describe the degree of difficulty required to break the bond between the two laminated components bonded with polyester resin in a primary bond because I have never attempted to do that. Considering that the laminates and resins used in the Boston Whaler hull seem to be able to hold themselves together for more than 60-years, I would expect that the bond made with the same resins to hold the two components together would be similarly strong.

Please explain the method you were planning to use separate the hull and liner.

NLA01
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Re: c.1985 OUTRAGE 18: Separating Hull and Liner

Postby NLA01 » Sun Apr 21, 2019 10:57 pm

[To separate the hull and liner] would be near impossible. All hull integrity would be lost.

Boston Whaler engineering and design does not use bulkheads and strings with a hull and cap design like most boats including Grady White. The bottom and liner are infused with foam under pressure while the two parts are still wet creating a hull that is one piece with no voids. I would suggesting doing some research on this site to learn about Whaler Unibond construction. Most repairs on soft spots in the hull or deck are addressed locally in that spot to make the repair.

Congrats on becoming a new Whaler owner.

Archie

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Re: c.1985 OUTRAGE 18: Hull Construction

Postby jimh » Sun Apr 21, 2019 11:08 pm

Boston Whale uses a variety of embedded materials to provide strength where needed in a Boston Whaler Unibond hull.

To learn more about how a Boston Whaler Unibond hull is constructed, I recommend you read:

Original Patent of the Boston Whaler Hull Construction

BOSTON WHALER FACTORY TOUR: Where Legends Are Made

publius
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Re: c.1985 OUTRAGE 18

Postby publius » Sun Apr 21, 2019 11:11 pm

JIM--I had not really thought through a method of [separating the hull and liner of a c.1985 Boston Whaler OUTRAGE 18 boat].

I don't even own the Boston Whaler boat yet.

I suspect [the Boston Whaler OUTRAGE 18 boat] has wet foam that needs to be removed and replaced--perhaps a majority of [the foam would need to be removed and replace].

If there is a lot of waterlogged foam maybe I should [not buy this boat].

I'm not afraid to work on any [boat hull problem] if [repair of the hull problem can be done].

I think [this OUTRAGE 18] needs a total rebuild, meaning removal of the deck or the entire cap.

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Re: c.1985 OUTRAGE 18

Postby jimh » Sun Apr 21, 2019 11:30 pm

Let us know more about the project if you buy the boat.

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Phil T
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Re: c.1985 OUTRAGE 18

Postby Phil T » Mon Apr 22, 2019 8:02 am

For prospective buyers coming from other brands, the construction method Boston Whaler utilizes often confounds them. Some think they need to gut the deck, remove the foam, insert stringers and re-glass. Many state the reason is the boat is water logged. Some cite surveyors who point to moisture meter readings.

Almost all these cases of a boat being waterlogged are patently false.

Methods for determining a boat is waterlogged include hull damage, weighing the boat at a commercial scale and comparing it to published weights at the time of manufacturer; Drain tubes showing corrosion and water seepage.

A soft spot on a portion of the floor is typically an indicator the wood reinforcement at that location may be compromised.

Please share your rational that the subject boat is waterlogged.
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NLA01
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Re: c.1985 OUTRAGE 18

Postby NLA01 » Mon Apr 22, 2019 2:57 pm

Survey the boat well before buying. If the foam is saturated with water, walk away.

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Re: c.1985 OUTRAGE 18

Postby jimh » Mon Apr 22, 2019 5:39 pm

If you decide to buy the boat, let us know how the restoration project goes. Start a new thread in REPAIRS and MODIFICATIONS to tell us about your work on the boat if you buy it.

publius
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Re: c.1985 OUTRAGE 18

Postby publius » Mon Apr 22, 2019 9:00 pm

I definitely will, Jim. Phil, I suspect it way be severely waterlogged because it has numerous small cracks that might not be through to glass but there is definitely one small spot where the foam is exposed between the liner and hull. I would think that it would be damn near impossible to get all the wet foam out of a soaked Whaler, given it's bonded construction. As Jim asked, how do I think I would go about separating the liner from the hull. I didn't know if maybe someone here might have done it but I haven't seen it done. I'll try to get some pics of itso you and Jim can give me your opinions. My experience with major work is with Makos and Gradys which are completely different animals.

NLA01
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Re: c.1985 OUTRAGE 18

Postby NLA01 » Mon Apr 22, 2019 9:32 pm

I don't think [removal of all foam from a Boston Whaler Unibond hull] is necessary. Once [all foam is removed from a Unibond hull] you no longer own a Boston Whaler but own an outer skin of a Boston Whaler with someone else's structure inside.

My experience with water in the hull is that it is usually only isolated in one section not the whole boat. The foam is closed cell and water will not migrate through it.

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Re: c.1985 OUTRAGE 18

Postby jimh » Tue Apr 23, 2019 8:18 am

To sum up, if in the future you buy this boat, and if in the future you find it has water in the Unibond hull, and if in the future you are able to separate the hull and liner and remove and replace all the foam, you will start a new thread about that project and provide images of it. That will be great. I look forward to reading about it, should it occur.