In the bow area the fiberglass and gel coat was wavy and exhibited cracks, so a little slit was cut to see what was going on behind. The closed cell foam that was removed was soaking wet and could be wrung out like a kitchen sponge, so a larger access was cut and foam removal continued until no additional waterlogged foam could be found. The boat has never had any fiberglass work or optionally installed deck fittings, and our theory is the deck bollard and possibly the rail fitting were allowing water to enter through the fiberglass. The wrinkles in the fiberglass and gel coat were from the winter temperatures where the water in the foam would freeze and expand.
Owners of [c.1985 18-foot classic hulls] and other hulls may want to inspect all deck fittings and re-bed as the bedding compound does not last forever and does need to be renewed.
Here are several views of the bow area. The lighting was poor and the camera phone lens dirty. There appears to be shading in the pics, but that is a function of the image captured since there is no discoloration in the boat at all.
Fig. 1. The forward cockpit with deformation of the laminate and gel coat.
Fig. 2. Exploratory slits cut to assess foam condition.
Fig. 3. Removed wet foam.
Fig. 4. Wet foam after water squeezed out by hand.
Fig. 5. Much larger section of the hull liner removed for access to interior wet foam.
Fig. 6. All foam removed from hull interior where wet foam was found.
Fig. 7. Overall view showing volume of wet foam removed, some in blocks.
The fiberglass piece was saved and will be glassed back in and re-foamed with a closed cell foam to the repair.
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