Hello all, I need help repairing my 84 Nacra 5.8. Last weekend i was on a downwind run and the cross supports in the hull purched through on the port hull. I have photos Please follow this link to see them.

http://s323.photobucket.com/albums/nn463/foster5000/

I think i can repair this myself. but need help.

thanks.....

If it was mine I'd be on the lookout for some decent used hulls... OTOH, maybe I'd repair the skin first then glass in a couple of stringers with cross supports.

ouch!

problem is that if the port hull is failing internally the starboard hull could be too....

so assuming you just want to get this sorted quick so you can keep sailing this season

how about
-first check all internal bulkheads and stringers as much as possible by looking in the ports on both hulls
-add extra glass cloth and epoxy resin if needed to any delaminated areas
-press the damaged bits of glass back into their holes and put large overlapping glass cloth bits over them, outside first then inside. keep the outside as smooth as possible by turning the hull on it's side, covering the fresh repair with plastic kitchen film, then newspapers, cardboard and old magazines so it all sets as smooth as possible
-when holes repaired, make some cardboard templates for bulkheads, 1 for just ahead of the failed cross member and 1 for just behind
-once shape sorted, transfer to 4-5mm ply and use epoxy resin to glue them in place
-after epoxy set, add 1/2inch fillets around bulkhead circumference, use a filler like carbosil? to thicken the epoxy or it will all run off
-when fillets half set, add 1-2inch glass strips on top so that an equal amount of glass is on hull and bulkhead
-when everything set, add a final coat of resin on top of everything you've worked on
-then glue the decks back down

that would be my plan anyway, modify it as need be as better information comes up

i'd guess that that kind of repair is going to need 5 - 10 sessions of an hour or 2 each and materials of around $100

problem is you MIGHT then have the main bulkhead under the front beam disintegrate or the same problem in the other hull

start looking for more hulls, if you find a reasonably priced 5.8 with good sails and trailer you might be able to part it out and cover most of your costs

Are you running a spinnaker on that boat? That's the first time I've ever seen a failure like that...but it's a pretty sure bet the inside of the hull is actually what failed / crumpled / oil-canned. It can definitely be repaired - but it's not necessarily the easiest to do.

Is the hull foam cored or solid glass?

Jake, no spinnaker.. the hull looks like solid glass. i dont see a core. but i dont know how how thick a core would be.... i am very sure it was an internal failure. we did not hit anyghing.

i am planning to try a repair. but where should one look for hulls????

if it's pre-85 anf the hull number starts T it's solid glass

if it's after 85 and the hull number starts with an N then its foam cored

put a topic here, nacra 5.8 hulls wanted, and start googling nacra 5.8 hulls and for sale


list your location and also try to email all the nacra shops around you that you are in need of hulls or an old boat

Dave,

Looks like a big job....Grind away all cracked glass, look for any cracks or dis-color then build it up new. Build a 12-1 taper from the good glass to the "hole". I'd make a mold from the outside of the hull just to the side of the damage, where the hull shape is about the same. Wax the hull or tape wax paper to it and lay one layer of cloth. Wax or use wax paper on the inside of the patch then screw the patch in place on the out side. Just one layer will be flexable enough to shape over the hole. The screw holes can be glassed from the inside and filled from the outside.

Glass up against the patch tipping the hull so the patch is facing down so gravity will hold the glass is place. Overlap the hole by a good 8". Use a biax to spread the strength out on all directions. The last layer of cloth should cover everything and I'd go 12" around the damage. Remember to use enough resin to wet it out but the higher resin content to glass the weaker in strength. Use a spreader and a glass roller that help to move the extra resin to the side . Once the inside is done then you have to blend in the outside and make it pretty. Take off the patch grind smooth after you clean off the wax (or use wax paper).

I cut big hole in the repair job on the G-Cat. Take a look at it and the SuperCat both on the upper left on projects. http://www.themanshed.net

Mike

Use west system epoxy 105, hardner 205, and as filler 410. West System has a great CD at West Marine or any dealer, on the use of their products for a beginner. That and some anti-itch liquid, I prefer Rum or Bud you got it made! Don't use Bondo a mistake I made years ago. The above formula works just as easy and is 1000 times better.

I am creating a word doc on how the project is going any suggestions on how to post it?

Seen a few 5.8's on Craig's list lately, my be able to got a whole boat. Where are you located?

I have never seen anything like that either, and do hope the best for you.

Minneapolis

Create it as a PDF file.

Doug

Good tip Doug. You can create PDF files using PDF995 (http://www.pdf995.com/) or other free software for Windows. Alternative is to use Openoffice.org Writer, which saves PDF files with no extra software.

already tried that. it is a 3 mb pdf... even tried the shrink file option.

If you have the photos in the file,you will probably need to lower the resolution of each photo. Also, you might want to reduce the print size.

also make sure its 72 dpi (not 300/print quality)

If your posting here... just copy and paste it in... add the photo's afterwords

newer version of Office X verions that is you can just file/save as/ adobe PDF.