Saintly Fish Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 So after a repair was started on what we thought was just a poor patch up, it’s seems that the thruster tunnel was a poor retro fit job. Here is an email from the repairer and a series of photos of what he’s done this afternoon...... Hello Neil As you know I got started today, will be back tomorrow to finish up. As requested I have been recording my progress with photos. First I sanded down the small thumb size wet patch to find two small cracks. I dug away at these cracks and the resin looked soft so I decided to sand all around the thruster to see what was going on. To my surprise there was a badly cut out hole, way to large and on the wonk too. The installers had tried to cover this up by filling voids of around a inch wide with all the fillers they had in the boot most likely . I spotted 3 different fillers and a epoxy resin filler it was the epoxy filler that hadn't cured. The epoxy resin filler is orange in colour, a clear indication of amine blush this is when epoxy gets wet or doesn't reach curing temperature. I removed this dead material, opened the cracks up with razors, sanded and keyed the area well then flushed with acetone and allowed to dry. I have now filled the area with a resin filler for shape and will fiberglass tomorrow! Here are the photos of the progress... j I think it's a retro fit now, the factory would have plenty of any one filler. Also they would have the correct size hole saw for the job! I've never seen anything like that around a thruster before. Poor workmanship. Looking good now tho. Take care I'll be in touch Geoff and suzook12 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy135 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 Ouch!! So some previous owner did a bodge with an aftermarket thruster?! Sorry to hear but at least your man can put it right... silver lining and all that. 👍 Geoff 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saintly Fish Posted February 23, 2021 Author Share Posted February 23, 2021 Seems the tunnel is factory fitted and the ends covered over. Then if a thruster is required later they core drill the hull. Looks like an incorrect core bit was used and the gap then poorly filled. Will atleast be properly strong now when done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 Sounds like you have found a good guy to work on your boat, always a relief. Saintly Fish 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 Good job that you spotted the problem when you did Neil. It does sound like your repairer is on the ball and you will end up with an excellent repair. Well done. Geoff.☺️ Saintly Fish 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suzook12 Posted February 24, 2021 Share Posted February 24, 2021 Well, it could have had potential to sink the boat and didn't and is now being sorted so you got away with it lightly..... I'd call that a result 👍 Saintly Fish 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odyssey Posted February 24, 2021 Share Posted February 24, 2021 Best find out now when on the hard than mid way to Alderney! Soinds like a good guy and at least you know it’ll last for years now 🙂 Saintly Fish 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GPSguru Posted February 24, 2021 Share Posted February 24, 2021 On 2/23/2021 at 8:51 PM, Saintly Fish said: Seems the tunnel is factory fitted and the ends covered over. Then if a thruster is required later they core drill the hull. Looks like an incorrect core bit was used and the gap then poorly filled. Will atleast be properly strong now when done. Do you have any history relating to the previous owners ? ........ If yes, was it bought new, or nearly new by somebody in Brixham ? ....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saintly Fish Posted February 25, 2021 Author Share Posted February 25, 2021 7 hours ago, GPSguru said: Do you have any history relating to the previous owners ? ........ If yes, was it bought new, or nearly new by somebody in Brixham ? ....... The previous owner was French and I bought it from a dealer in Plymouth who imported it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saintly Fish Posted February 25, 2021 Author Share Posted February 25, 2021 24 minutes ago, JonC said: Write to France then and demand compensation I’ll do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 So a frog did the original tunnel installation, no wonder it croaked it Geoff, suzook12, Andy135 and 1 other 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saintly Fish Posted February 25, 2021 Author Share Posted February 25, 2021 4 minutes ago, Maverick said: So a frog did the original tunnel installation, no wonder it croaked it 🤦🏻Ffs DINOBOY, Maverick and Hooked1980 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydavy Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 How long ago was it bought from the dealer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saintly Fish Posted February 25, 2021 Author Share Posted February 25, 2021 29 minutes ago, andydavy said: How long ago was it bought from the dealer? 2 years ago. I’m not after any compensation. The surveyor maybe could have picked it up but I doubt it. It’s just one of those things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GPSguru Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 4 hours ago, Saintly Fish said: The previous owner was French and I bought it from a dealer in Plymouth who imported it. I asked as there are not too many about and there used to be one in Brixham circa 2010 ish and I sort of know who the owner was........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captin slows old outlaw Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 well uou were lucky with that one lets hop your luck carrys on Saintly Fish 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saintly Fish Posted February 28, 2021 Author Share Posted February 28, 2021 All done now and ready to go back in the water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy135 Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 He's done a good job there. You must be pleased! 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 Looks good Neil, nice job, but well spotted by you. Geoff. ☺️ Saintly Fish 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saintly Fish Posted February 28, 2021 Author Share Posted February 28, 2021 1 hour ago, Andy135 said: He's done a good job there. You must be pleased! 👍 Yeah I am, it’s a relief and well worth the extra expense. Geoff 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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