Found a suprise under my turf...Need advise...

[Cannibal]

So I bought the ski in August, now I have it in for a winter build. Removed the turf and here's what I found:

As soon as I saw it, I knew I was in for a suprise. Someone had an 1/8" aluminum plate bent to fit the tray, then it was 5200'ed into place and rivited to the sides. I had to cut one side off and pry off the rest, but I got it off. I found that on the right side, the bottom has broken away from the side. I was also suspecting because of this, water soaked my foam, so I drilled 2 holes in the back of the hull and did find some water ran out overnight. Looks like this foot hold intall is going to be a refoam too.

So, I need to know what's the best way to fix this? Any advise?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Big Kahuna]

that a square? if so that is normal.
glass it up, also put footholds in and refoam at the same time

 

[Cannibal]

Yep, Square.

How much glass? Couple layers of glass, or mat or both? I've not done much glassing, especially something that needs to take some abuse.

Guess what I'm more looking for is best technique to fix this. A little like the idiots guide to fixing a broken tray.

 

[Big Kahuna]

I prefer Mat, but I am no expert, more peeps will chime in later on, if not, pm Yamaslut, he has trashed more squares than anybody here!

 

[accbr]

My square was the exact same way when I got it. The previous owner had put some angled aluminum strips on each side of the tray. Not a whole sheet. I had to use an air chisel to get them out. I think he used bondo to hold them in place. I refoamed and put footholds in at the same time. I cut that bottom piece the rest of the way out of there to get to the soaked foam under there. I just used one layer of mat and 3 layers of cloth to glass it back in there. I'm no expert either, but it's held up fine for me.

 

[DR3]

make a piece 2 layers thick with the cloth type glass on a seperate flat surface let cure and then trim to fit. then lay 2 layers in a L shape up the sides then one large piece over the whole thing.

as you can tell from the picture i am no artist:biggrin: but u get what im saying! the should be plenty strong once foamed

 

[douglee25]

2-3 layers of mat will fix that. What you want to do first is fill the void underneath the crack with two part foam. Once the foam cures, the foam will keep the tray from dropping below where it should be. At this point, you can you start cutting your mat small to fit over the crack. Overlap by an inch on each side. Make each subsequent piece bigger by an inch to two inches on each side. Run it up the side of the tray as well for added strength. It's hard to tell from the pictures, but where the studs for the pump protrude under the tray, there is a void there as well. Usually where you cut the hole for the footholds you can stick your fingers under the tray at this point to locate it. When you do, fill that void with two part foam as well. After you get your footholds secured and glassed in, add one more piece of mat across the entire middle of the tray (connecting the footholds). This ties everything in and makes it strong as hell. Hope this helps.

Doug

 

[IceRocket1286]

you dont necessarily need to refoam. drill a couple holes, stand that sucker up on end and let it drain. The foam will be fine. They do it in boats all the time at my marina.

 

[douglee25]

Here is the pic of the void where I was talking about near the pump inserts.

Doug

 

[Cannibal]

Cool, thanks for all the help.

I'll probably refoam anyway just because I don't know the condition of it, and if it's original 92 foam, it may not be in great shape anyway.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[gj_fx1]

make a piece 2 layers thick with the cloth type glass on a seperate flat surface let cure and then trim to fit.

Why make a seperate panel rather than just laying glass in the tray?

 

[Flash-FX]

I basically did what you are working on. 1st you should get rid of that WET FOAM. That stuff will haunt you later. Check out post #85 on my 'bottom replacement' thread,http://www.x-h2o.com/threads/9841&page=5. It was pretty easy to do. Just sand the foam down as flat as you can so there will be less voids under glass. I had to use a little lightweight filler in a couple of spots. Have fun!

 

[adet16v]

i had a 650 sx with that problem. i didnt even want to deal with it so i parted it out and took an axe to the hull. then put it in the dumpster. you know what else, it felt good.:sneaky: