Hull Bulge - '73 Martinique

Hi Everyone. This site has been a huge help in bringing this boat back to life, so thank you!

The hull on my 1973 Martinique has a distinct bulge at the waterline that starts halfway between the stripe and the bottom and extends to the bottom of the hull. It doesn't seem normal? Getting a picture of it isn't easy, but you can kind of see it in this one. It goes from the back of the boat to just in front of the wheels on the trailer where the bunks start to work their way in. The trailer isn't a CC and the bunks are around 3 inches from the edge of the hull. I'm wondering if the trailer is too far outside the stringer? Stringers/ floor are original but in decent shape. Any input would be greatly appreciated!




Sam

Sam,
Does the bulge sound hollow when you tap on it? Is the bulge also on the port side? Is the bulge still there when the boat is off the trailer hanging on the lifting eyes? Has the boat ever been stored over winter with water in the bilge?

Sam,
Hard to tell from the video. I was thinking some disbonding of the glass but I can't tell. Typically there's a hollow sound. Can anyone else?

I'm not sure how long it's been there. There was a lot of gel coat discoloration and the bulge become much more visible after I sanded it out. It sounds solid underneath and no delam sounding areas. Is there usually a wood support up against the hull there?

Thanks everyone.

We replaced the carpet this summer and I don't recall finding any areas where the floor was pulling away from the sides. There was one spot of the floor that was a little spongy. I watched the video on here of the stringer tap test and everything sounds good and I drilled in a few spots and found solid wood underneath the glass. I'm guessing I have a stringer job in my future but hoping to put it off as long as possible! I'm making a point of keeping it as dry as possible and the dry Colorado climate should help that. I'm not sure if there are some supports there that are wet and swelled up against the hull but I feel like they'd compress foam before the fiberglass?

Thanks!

Sam,
I don't feel you will gain any knowledge on the bulge by utilizing a marine surveyor. Your best is to stick around and see what other CCfan members have to say. The only thing you will gain with a surveyor is a lighter wallet!