234 Eliminator Bottom & Floor Repair

[JoeB]

Can anyone help me with where I should start first here? I've already got the motor out, so that's out of the way. And I'm going to dry everything really good before grinding.
This damage is just in the rear (pics below). The transom is fine, and the stringers are fine. Just here in the center. It looks like someone has tried to repair it from the inside before. It seems as though theres a 3/4 piece of plywood glassed in.
It almost looks like someone has dropped a motor accidently in the bottom center tunnel. The previous owner said he always ran it like this, and there's no way I'm going to do it. It's only going to get worse in my opinion. You can see where oil is starting to come through the bottom in one of my pics.
Any advice is appreciated.
Here's the boat
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/522/3562DSC02025.JPG
Inner Floor, Center Tunnel below motor - Pic 1
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/522/3562Floor.JPG
Inner Floor Center Tunnel below motor - Pic 2
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/3562Floor3.JPG
Inner Floor Center Tunnel below motor - Pic 3
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/3562Floor2.JPG
Bottom of Hull, Below the floor Damage area - Pic 1.
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/3562Bottom_Stress2.JPG
Bottom of Hull, Below the floor Damage area - Pic 2
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/3562Bottom_Stress1.JPG
Transom Area, Center tunnel
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/3562Bottom_Stress3.JPG
Again, thanks in advance for any help.
JoeB

[andy01]

I wouldn't run it that way either, yikes! I would post this over on www.offshoreonly.com in the general area...... here's a link. http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=51 There are a lot more people on that web site that are going to be from your area that may know of somebody that can do it. You also might call the Eliminator factory and see if they have someone near you they use for warranty work or repairs for thier customers.
Andy

[WETTE VETTE]

A buddy of mine had the same type of boat and had similar problems. The problem was ultimately fixed by adding some stringers in that area. I would consider going to a good structural glass shop if I were you. Custom Fiberglass Repair in Cincinnati does very good work and may not be too far from you. I have his number around somewhere if you are interested in talking to them.
Craig

[JoeB]

Wette Vette, do you know if your buddy's boat was a 234 Edge. I'm just wondering in case I do call Eliminator. This could be a manufacturers defect. I'm a Mechanical Engineer myself, and we all make mistakes. It's only human. Sometimes stains and stresses aren't all accounted for until a vessel goes into production. It's there where you'll find the real problems.
Thanks for the advice!
JoeB

[WETTE VETTE]

Yes it was a 234 Edge.

[a catered life]

this is a little scary i have the same boat :220v: what year is yours?

[DMOORE]

this is a little scary i have the same boat :220v: what year is yours?
It just might be worth doing a very detailed inspection of the hull for any type of delamination in the engine compartment. Always good to catch something before it is a real problem.
Darrell.

[JoeB]

"a catered life" my boat is a 1989 model, I believe. The HIN is ELI30560F889.

[Charley]

I saw one of these running down the river last weekend and I was impressed by the stance it took and the way it ran... good luck with the fix

[JoeB]

Thanks Charley, other problems encountered yesterday,...can't get a title because the seller has a lien placed on the boat by the State of Indiana for child support.
I don't know what to do now.

[Charley]

ahh damn that is a bummer! sorry man

[WETTE VETTE]

I saw one of these running down the river last weekend and I was impressed by the stance it took and the way it ran... good luck with the fix
Those boats are very impressive. They turn like they are on rails and at 100 MPH are very solid. Good luck with the fix!
Craig

[Unchained]

I sent a PM and then talked to Ducky from here on the forums.
He has a boat repair company in Havasu and was real helpful especially considering I'm in Michigan and wasn't a customer at all.
He recommended I use epoxy resin instead of polyester to get a lot more strength out of the repair. His advise worked out real well.
Be thankful you're not working overhead like I had to.
A big thanks to Scott / Ducky.

[JoeB]

Unchained,...did you have a 234 Edge. Just wondering.