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99 - 2002 Eastbay HX

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by edparker, Aug 8, 2012.

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  1. edparker, Aug 8, 2012
    #1
    edparker

    edparker New Member

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    Investigating the Eastbay 38 HX 99,2000, 2001 as possible next boat. Its my understanding that these hulls are cored with divinity H PVC. Yet a surveyor has discovered a soft spot along the deck just outboard of the helm window. Can someone help me understand this observation. As the core is PVC I'm having problems understanding why the deck would be soft. thanks - Ed
  2. Beau, Aug 8, 2012
    #2
    Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    was it soft or wet? if its soft it may indicate the water has been there for a while and the fibreglass coring has chemically broken down?
  3. Capt J, Aug 8, 2012
    #3
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Just because it has pvc coring, does not mean that the decks cannot get weak if there's water intrusion. You can take divynicell and break it in half by hand, when it's just a sheet by itself. It's the bond between the coring and fiberglass that makes it strong. However, if water sits in there for a long period of time it will make the fiberglass delaminate from the coring and it will get or be soft just like anything else.
  4. edparker, Aug 9, 2012
    #4
    edparker

    edparker New Member

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    Thanks to all who replyed. - Ed
  5. YachtForums, Aug 9, 2012
    #5
    YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    This is sometimes a sign of an impact. Once the foam has been compressed, the skin is able to flex. Over time, the foam will begin to break down further from chaffing. This is most often seen along rub-rails after an incident involving extreme pier pressure. I've also seen this on hull bottoms after an impact with a floating object, but without penetration. Over time, the constant pressure of pounding waves will turn the foam to powder under the skin. There are some cores that are more resilient than others, but moisture normally isn't a culprit with closed cell cores.

    We have a resident expert on composites (actually a few) here on YF. One of them is SandEngXP. Hopefully he will see this thread and chime in...