Depression in hull

[perseo]

I keep my 16 on its Magic-Tilt trailer at a sailing club about 30 miles from home. I sail only on the weekend. During the week the front keel roller broke. A shallow depression -less than 1"- was created in the hull at the spot where the boat sat on the port side rail for 4 days. Overall dimensions of the depression is 18" x 8" x 1". There is no indication that the fiberglass along the depression has splintered or cracked. Because the depression runs beneath the port-side berth I am not able to either visually or manually inspect for damage. I've been told by someone who repairs hull that on occasion a shallow depression will correct itself (I claim no knowledge of the properties or propensities of fiberglass hulls!). Just to be on the safe side I am incline to have the depression filled and repaired. Any advise would be greatly appreciated!
-perseo

[mrb]

Hi Perseo

Have you tried jacking up boat to where it was before roller broke.
The depression should come out with weight off it.  I think the idea is the keel takes the weight of the boat and bunk boards are stabilizers to keep boat from rocking side to side.

As long as no cracks appear around depression you should have no problem. I would repare the roller and then launch the boat. let it sit in the water awhile and then look at it again. 

Lots of boats show depressions when they sit on trailers that are not adjusted to distribute weight correctly.

My main concern would be to get the weight on the keel and fix the roller.  Look around site and you can find posts where others have taken rollers off and put boards in place of them.

Good luck
Melvin

[perseo]

Hi Melvin,

Thanks for the reply to my post - and for your helpful advise. I do have "Miss June" jacked up and off the roller; I'm hoping that this will result in the shallow depression correcting itself. I've arranged with a local trailer shop to rebuild the trailer, including replacing the rollers with a board. My club's commodore has promised to assist with leveling the side rails. I still have some slight concern about the depression and hope that the problem resolves itself. Once again, thanks for your very kind reply!
-Perseo

[Craig Weis]

No big deal as the hull is glass matt as opposed to chopped glass. She'll pop the dent out.

As you did already. Just slide a automotive floor jack or bottle jack under the keel at the balance point [you'll have to play around to find that] and use a 2X4 to spread out the weight between the jack and the keel as long as possible but still able to go between the rollers of the trailer and jack the boat up.

I use another jack to raise the tubes holding the boards of the trailer, up under the hull. A few times around all six and the boat will hang by the boards and not touch the rollers, the keel will be free. Then repair the roller. Welded? [Off the boat in the water and get the trailer welded.] Just an axle? R&R. [West Marine] with the boat on the trailer. Pry, bang, cut, off the tinnerman nuts and re-new. I use rollers, I don't like boards as they hinder inspection and painting and jacking of the boat. You decide. skip.

[perseo]

Skip,
Thanks for the information about the characteristics of the 16s glass mat. As I mentioned, I plan to put "Miss June"in the water for a few days and have the trailer re-built at a local dealer. I will check with him on the choice of rollers or a board. Once again, thanks!
-Perseo

[B.Hart]

Welcome perseo, Listen to skip and melvin, the depression should come OuT over time if it is not broken, but just a pressure point. If you are going to redo the trailer go to a board under the keel to support the weight, then use the side supports to balance the boat. Make sure to keep the keel board as low as possible to keep the center of grav low, the lower it is the better it will handle.    HAPPY SAILING  BILL

[perseo]

Bill,
Thanks for your observations. You are correct, there's indication that the depression is beginning to come out. I will be sure to pass along your recommendation regarding the keel board to the gentleman who is going to rebuild the trailer. Once again, thanks!
-Perseo