Big loss for me today

[outasite]

Learned a very hard lesson today.Got in a hurry when I locked the trailer to the truck and did not notice that the little locking trigger did not catch the latch.It cost me my boat!------ Ok guys I need honest helpful info.I bought this boat new in 81 and don't want to give It up without a fight,it would be easier to let go,if I blew it over,but for 35 years it's brought me home safe.And I should do the same.So if it's possible it needs to be fixed.Tell me what you think.My problem is at 62 I'm a lot slower, and this will be a big undertaking for me.My plan is to strip it,then pull the deck and decide if and how to repair.I know that from a resale value It's not worth it,but what the hell, it's going to be a long winter here.My questions are 1.do you think it's fixable within reason--2.Does anyone have a chart with gell coat colors from 81----3. There was a fella that had some OE rub rail does anyone know where to find it.Thanks to all!!!!

[specboatops]

Very sorry to read this but glad you're ok. Hang in there, there are alot of guys way smarter than me who will come along shortly and give you sound advise, nice to see you want to fix it, stay the course....

[outasite]

Thanks,the really good news is it crossed three lanes of oncoming traffic.Had it hit somebody at a closing speed of 120 mph !!!!! Well I don't even want think about it.All I can say is my preflight will be different from here on out.

[crazy horse]

What happened to your safety chains?

[XstreamVking]

Not that bad. I would not split it to repair....

[PARKER RABE]

God that sucks!!!! Loved that boat and the speed master stories and pics..! Send it down to jack brash, he'll make it look like new.

[PARKER RABE]

Did the boat come off the trailer????

[albypine]

Sounds like your heart and sole is in that boat . We all have done some stupid things over the years and if it was mine I would be getting itchy rite now and back on the water before next event lol . Me at 40 at and hope to be still boating at 60 good luck and yes a good glass man can save it . Far as resale I highly doubt with the boat being fixed rite will affect the price at all . It's the boats that do not get fixed rite that hurts the resale of a damaged boats.

[Smoking Joe]

Thanks,the really good news is it crossed three lanes of oncoming traffic.Had it hit somebody at a closing speed of 120 mph !!!!! Well I don't even want think about it.All I can say is my preflight will be different from here on out.

I had the same thing happen to me with my tandem axle work trailer, around 2 ton. Like you I was very, very, lucky. As a boat builder I can say that the beauty of glass boats, they can always be fixed one way or another. Distance precludes me lending a hand. Good luck, I will keep an eye on the rebuild.

[outasite]

Safety chains,we're on they are S hooks and the boat was a little tail heavy.I have the bad habit of hooking them from the bottom up instead of the top down,when it came undone the trailer came up and when I tapped the brake it came undone.Next one will have the spring loaded clips.As for the repair the only way I feel I can do it right is by splitting it,being a comp drag model,it does not appear to be bonded at the seam.I don't feel that I can work under the dash and under the gunnels and do a proper repair.Also the transom seems to be fine but at 33 years old,If the top is off it may be time to look at replacing it.Other than the very back of the pad having a chunk broke out of it the bottom is still almost perfect.The other option may be to find the right guy,and get a quote.But only thing I can remember paying anyone to fix,is my computer,and my refrigerator

[Riptide]

Sight of a man's boat smashed up makes my stomach churn.
Glad to hear no one was hurt.
Considering the age of the hull and it's recent unfortunate circumstance, you are correct in wanting to pull the cap and inspect, fix/repair the interior structure of the hull if necessary.
Especially if operating at high speeds.

I recently finished a 4 yr rebuild on a flats boat of mine and would not even think about attempting to do such ever again.
Chemicals have a tendency to really kick our arses once we get up in age.
Not to mention having to wear respirators, jump suits, etc., etc.

[albypine]

Spit it and do it rite , hmmmmm comp model that is need of a composit resto should be able to end a few lbs lighter . Good luck and keep us posted

[capteliminator]

Sorry to hear this. Keep us posted on the repair. Core looks good and dry at least!

[outasite]

I was surprised to see any balsa in the comp model,but even more surprised to find dry non rotted balsa in the very lowest part of a 30+ year old Hydrostream.I quess always pulling the plug,and storing nose up paid off.If I can determine the transom is that dry it will be a big help.

[CharlieN]

I would undertake as much of the repair as possible with the cap on to stabilize the structure.
Then pull the cap to get what you could not reach as well as search for hidden issues.
Being that structural glass work is best done from both sides of a part you can not get it all without splitting to hull anyways.

Sad that the chains unhooked,I hang them from the top, I know people that hang them from underneath. I think I will stick to my guns there but yes those irritating clips do have value as does installing a pin or lock in the coupler.