Gunwale bracing ideas?

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   I've followed these forums for awhile and am very thankful for the amazingly unselfish and thoughtful contributions made by the pros on here.  

I have a 1991 Nautique Excel with a Monster tower, and it's been getting some heavy wakeboard use. I noticed this past weekend that the gunwales aft of the rear tower support brackets have developed a couple of small spider cracks in the gel coat (near the rear seat) and there is a tiny amount of sag when I step on the gunwale there (I weigh 200lbs).

Should I be concerned about this? Has anyone ever had to brace a gunwale, or reinforce the fiberglass on the underside to prevent further damage? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

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RammerJammer Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: June-02-2015 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 73	Post Options Post Reply Quote RammerJammer Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Gunwale bracing ideas? Posted: August-10-2015 at 11:04pm
	I've followed these forums for awhile and am very thankful for the amazingly unselfish and thoughtful contributions made by the pros on here. I have a 1991 Nautique Excel with a Monster tower, and it's been getting some heavy wakeboard use. I noticed this past weekend that the gunwales aft of the rear tower support brackets have developed a couple of small spider cracks in the gel coat (near the rear seat) and there is a tiny amount of sag when I step on the gunwale there (I weigh 200lbs). Should I be concerned about this? Has anyone ever had to brace a gunwale, or reinforce the fiberglass on the underside to prevent further damage? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
	1991 Nautique Excel, PCM 351, Pro-Tec ignition

8122pbrainard Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045	Post Options Post Reply Quote 8122pbrainard Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August-11-2015 at 7:37am
	Courtney, Was any reinforcing done under the tower legs when it was installed?
	54 Atom 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete <

RammerJammer Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: June-02-2015 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 73	Post Options Post Reply Quote RammerJammer Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August-11-2015 at 1:10pm
	It seems that there is extra glassing underneath the gunwale.but no metallic support. I'm not sure how much extra glassing since mine is the only Excel I've been on. This monster tower has been on the boat for well over a decade and has stood up well considering.
	1991 Nautique Excel, PCM 351, Pro-Tec ignition

Morfoot Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: February-06-2004 Location: South Lanier Status: Offline Points: 5320	Post Options Post Reply Quote Morfoot Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August-11-2015 at 1:23pm
	Since the Excels weren't built to include a tower I would definately throw a few layers of glass under the gunnels where the tower is attached to and extend it fore and after a little bit since its a little soft from wear and tear from the years of added stress. Then I'd add a backing plate to the attach points for the tower.
	"Morfoot; He can ski. He can wakeboard.He can cook chicken.He can create his own self-named beverage, & can also apparently fly. A man of many talents."72 Mustang "Kermit",88 SN Miss Scarlett, 99 SN "Sherman"

RammerJammer Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: June-02-2015 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 73	Post Options Post Reply Quote RammerJammer Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August-11-2015 at 10:01pm
	Tim, thank you for the advice. I wasn't sure if I needed a gunwale-to-floor brace under the aft tower mount or not. I'll add some glass and bracing like you recommend.
	1991 Nautique Excel, PCM 351, Pro-Tec ignition

74Wind Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: August-02-2011 Location: Georgia Status: Offline Points: 2101	Post Options Post Reply Quote 74Wind Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August-12-2015 at 12:39am
	Just curious, are there no braces at all under the gunwales of an excel? Southwinds have angled braces so strong that an elephant could stand there...very sturdy with no give at all 4 decades later..... We have no tower so no need for extra support, but it's an outstanding place to loop fender lines...with the lines properly adjusted you just throw them out and they fall right into place every time.
	1974 Southwind 18 1975 Century Mark II

RammerJammer Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: June-02-2015 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 73	Post Options Post Reply Quote RammerJammer Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August-12-2015 at 4:48pm
	There are no gunwale-to-floor braces from the cockpit to the rear seat, but that is not a very long distance in Excels because the engine is in the back under the sundeck and the rear seat is much closer to mid-deck.
	1991 Nautique Excel, PCM 351, Pro-Tec ignition

74Wind Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: August-02-2011 Location: Georgia Status: Offline Points: 2101	Post Options Post Reply Quote 74Wind Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August-12-2015 at 5:43pm
	The SW braces don't go to the floor, they attach to the sides, you wouldn't know they were there if you didn't look. Yes you would think support wouldn't be an issue with the short gunwales on a v-drive, but I've got a 75 v-drive with no braces, gunwales on that one have also weakened a bit over time.
	1974 Southwind 18 1975 Century Mark II

Gunwale bracing ideas?

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