Wavey/ rippled hull?

[k9medic]

Hi all, I have a potential "issue." today, while crawling around under the trailer i noticed that the hull of my V238 is rippled or wavy. The sides are smooth, but if you run your hand along the bottom, there are waves in the bottom of the boat. They run horizontally starting around where the center console is, and stop where the bow turns up.

Does anyone else have any ideas?

[schmo]

right off hand id say its proubably nothing wrong with it , but you could have a dealer look at it to make sure , most skiffs arnt as smoothe as you would expect a yellowfin or regulator to be *Cheers*

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

K9, did you buy the boat new or used? Do you know if the boat was sitting on a bunk trailer or roller trailer?

[k9medic]

I bought it new in 06 from Ed's. It's on a bunk trailer that has 6" bunks that run almost the entire length of the hull.

[k9medic]

Attached is a picture of the hull.

[Harry]

WOW,
That's pretty noticable, I would have a dealer look at it....

[megsar]

Looked at my boat yesterday, if I am under my boat, I can see a wavy or something every 8 inches or so on the entire hull. Keep in mind it is very slight and if I am looking at a certain angle I can see it, if the boat finish was dull or painted I don't think it would be visible, it is nothing that be felt or measured, I will have mine at the dealer next week anyhow for 20 hour service, will have some show and tell. I am willing to bet this same condition can be seen on many more CS boats.

Kenny

[k9medic]

I got lucky today. While trying to investigate this ripple further, I cam across a broken shackle mount on the trailer. When I took the axle off, I barely touched the thing and the whole axle broke loose.

Looks like more $$...

Still waiting on CS to give me a call.

[bobreeves]

I wonder if these 'ripples' are associated with the horizontal support / cross members between the floatation logs? I believe they are in there to stiffen the hull.

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

I wonder if these 'ripples' are associated with the horizontal support / cross members between the floatation logs? I believe they are in there to stiffen the hull.

This is exactly what it is. i've seen a lot of skiffs with the same "problem", if you can call it a problem. I think the reason for this is the hull is too thin and the foam eventually gives in and you get this effect.I don't think is any issue as far as stracture, the only thing is will effect the speed(slower).

[Tawn]

Mine has similar "waves" in the finish on the bottom - I believe it is just the nature of the beast. Older vettes have similar waves but to a lesser extent. If it were a Grady White or a Yellowfin and I had paid those kind of prices I would be flipping out but the fact of the matter is I bought a utility/work type boat at a fraction of what a 21' Whaler or Grady costs and I'm not expecting that level of fit and finish. I live very near the Chesapeake Bay and I see the watermen using their CS's daily - they beat the hell out of them, rarely pull them out of the water for maintainance and I can assure you the have never been washed but they perform as designed day in and day out. When I first bought mine I freaked over every little blemish, loose screw or caulk split, since then I have learned to enjoy it for what it is - a no frills fishing boat.

As far as trailers and Ed's Marine goes - I feel your pain. My 218 DLV came on a single axle, no brakes Road King designed for a 19' boat. When I questioned this I was told "Don't worry about it, we put a lot of 218 DLVs on these trailers..." Within the first year of owning the boat I replaced the trailer with a EZ Loader, Galvanized, tandem axle, SS Disk Brake trailer from Tri-State Marine. Wasn't cheap at $3500 but it's worth the piece of mind dragging it down the road and everytime I read a post about someones trailer problems I feel a little better about spending the extra money on a different trailer.

[Redfish]

I think Tawn has it right: CS boats do have some "wave" to the finish, and we might expect this given that we aren't paying $30K-$40K for 20ft plus boats. My 21 DLX has the same "wave" to the bottom and it does not seem to affect anything. The boat will run 45 at WOT, and for a flat-bottomed boat, this is fast enough for me. And, yes, these are tough boats. Oystermen and crabbers here on the Florida Big Bend use the heck out of them. They will take a beating.

As to the trailer issue, I went ahead and upgraded to a tadem Wesco w/brakes, and I have not regretted it. Yes, some dealerships will sell the larger skiffs with a single axle, but if you talk to a few people and talk to some of the salespeople who care about satisfaction more than willingness to "sell for less," they will tell you that for 20-feet and larger Skiffs it is much better to go with a tandem.

[k9medic]

I can't fault Ed's for the trailer. I bought the trailer from a friend down here in FL at a really good price.

I replaced both springs today, and got the shackle mount welded. I'm going to put 14" wheels on it tomorrow. I was previously running 13". Boat, motor, trailer, and crap weighs out at 2820 lbs. on the scales. While a dual axle would be nice, the single actually works well the way I have set it up. I'm towing it with a Dodge megacab 2500, so I can't even tell it's back there.

I grew up in Crystal River, so I have seen my share of skiffs that are beat up.

[megsar]

Took my CS to Norfolk Marine for service this AM, while I was there, I looked at 9 brand new DLV hulls and they all are like mine on the bottom, where you can see the transverse beams but can't feel any wave. The service manager said it's the nature of the beast and not a defect, which seems ok to me. They are taking care of several other issues no charge, such as; replacing rusty fasteners and a warped trailer bunk.

Kenny

[bobreeves]

replacing rusty fasteners and a warped trailer bunk

It's great to hear your dealer is taking care of you *yay*. This kind of treatment makes people buy their next boat from the same place. And there always seems to be a next boat.

[megsar]

You are right, changing out the rusty fasteners (mostly washers under side of gunnel) at no-charge surprised me, the warped bunk was a Road King issue. Norfolk Marine also sells Grady White boats, and I have heard GW is particular who handles their boats.

[f1s2000]

[quote=Redfish;27202]I think Tawn has it right: CS boats do have some "wave" to the finish, and we might expect this given that we aren't paying $30K-$40K for 20ft plus boats. quote]

On my 17ft montuak you could see some waves. And whalers arent cheap.

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

[quote=Redfish;27202]I think Tawn has it right: CS boats do have some "wave" to the finish, and we might expect this given that we aren't paying $30K-$40K for 20ft plus boats. quote]

On my 17ft montuak you could see some waves. And whalers arent cheap.

My Montauk 17 too had them, but did not see on the new 19 montauk