Avon adventure hull stress cracks

[cjj216]

First post! I have a boat/trailer issue with my avon adventure & roller coaster 3.5.
Recently noticed lots of spider stress cracks on hull which i`m having repaired.

The repairer seems to think the damage has been caused by incorrect trailer set up.

The rollers sit either side of the innermost chine on both sides. When you get under the boat and push in this area anywhere along the length of the boat the GRP seems very flexible. Whereas the GRP between the outer chine and the tubes seems solid/denser/stronger.

I`m considering adding some sort of keel roller to the centre of the rear swing arm, to support the boat there and moving the rear rollers out and either side of the outer chine.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this and also can anybody explain why the hull seems so thin/flexible? Is it a particular construction method used by Avon? My Osprey XR18 was solid underneath and certainly couldn`t be flexed by pushing it.

[Downhilldai]

A lot of Avon Adventures had issues with substandard GRP

[matt h]

As DD rightly said Avon Adventurers have very thin fibre glass, you cannot compare one with a osprey which are built for heavier seas etc
Couple it with some outhill stuff which is really thin makes it a paper machey boat.

[cjj216]

Thanks for quick response. I now have what`s known as a high quality problem!
I`ve still got my XR18 which is 17 years old, has a smokey DT140 on it but has been a good boat.
Thinking maybe sell Avon, refurb Osprey, keep change!

[Downhilldai]

What motor's on your Avon?

[cjj216]

2001 Mercury 125

[cjj216]

Are you thinking what i`m thinking!? Transplant, sell avon hull, ebay DT140?

[Downhilldai]

I don't know what hp the XR18 is rated to? Pete 7 will know.

[cjj216]

I think it`s 100hp. I was getting carried away there.
In reality the Osprey is way overpowered with the DT140 on and still would be with the 125 on.

With some tlc and a 90 on it could still be a good boat, but i`ll probably never get around to doing any of those things so it`s up for sale.

As you said, it`s a different thing to the adventure, it comes in to it`s own at speed and it gets choppy. But being as most of my time is spent in calm seas with the family, i`ll probably stick with the adventure and treat the hull with kid gloves.

Next boat will probsbly be an Osprey though! Are they still built to the same robust spec?

[Downhilldai]

They're heavier now than in the days of the XRs

[cjj216]

If thats the case they must be bombproof!

The XR was my first "proper" boat so it had to put up with my sharp and aggressive learning curve. (close encounters with rocks, pontoons, fishing hooks etc)

She`s stood up well.

Glad i didn`t get the adventure first!