Strange Bumps Just Below the Toe Rail

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Looking in zoomed - the red line has no bumps. Hence the topside seems OK.



I would guess the rubber streak stretched over time and now it has excessive length hence the bumps.


???


barnakiel

Yeah, though it looks like the rub rail is at the same level as the deck behind the bulwark and the OP says the bulges are definitely in the glass and I presume that it is from the rub rail up. If the rub rail is mounted on the hull-deck joint the water intrusion + freeze may be a plausible answer.

[Don C L]

OK another possibility, galvanized bolts in the hull/deck joint, used in the Irish boats, that have rusted and the rust expanded the joint. That might be more disappointing from repair standpoint:
https://forums.ybw.com/index.php?thr...-needed.43421/

You might contact the Royal St. George Yacht Club and ask Shipman 28 owners/sailors there? I bet there are a couple there who have been doing work on theirs.
https://afloat.ie/sail/sailing-clubs...g/Shipman%2028
https://www.rsgyc.ie/

[clakiep]

Originally Posted by ShakenSeraph

Hey Team,

I'm considering purchasing a project boat and I'm curious if anyone knows what these bumps just under the toe rail on the outside of the boat could be?

They're on both sides of the boat in the same places. I thought it could be osmotic blistering, but the symmetry across the boat has me thinking otherwise.

Anybody have any thoughts?

Could it be that some misguided people steped on it when getting on and off board ?

Capt. Claus - ocean tramp of the eighties

[Cheechako]

Is the hull to deck joint under the rubber rail? If so, maybe it's not a glass issue.....?

[ShakenSeraph]

Originally Posted by Don C L

OK another possibility, galvanized bolts in the hull/deck joint, used in the Irish boats, that have rusted and the rust expanded the joint. That might be more disappointing from repair standpoint:
https://forums.ybw.com/index.php?thr...-needed.43421/

You might contact the Royal St. George Yacht Club and ask Shipman 28 owners/sailors there? I bet there are a couple there who have been doing work on theirs.
https://afloat.ie/sail/sailing-clubs...g/Shipman%2028
https://www.rsgyc.ie/

The bolts were my first suspect as well... I'll definitely be giving them a closer look when we go for a test sail.

I was able to get a bunch more pictures. The interior pictures are of the side of the boat where the bumps in the initial picture were spotted.

[guyrj33]

It looks like a hull to deck joint with an outward flange, covered by the black rub rail. Often the joint was covered with a plastic channel that holds the rub rail in place.
I suspect the rub rail has been rubbing up and down on the dock pilings and has been dislodged from the channel underneath.

[ShakenSeraph]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Can't really see, but if the hull is bulged out it's water ingress through the toe rail or rub rail and subsequent swelling. I would NOT buy that boat.
The other option is it's a hard glassed interior structure that has bulged the hull as the hull fiberglass shrank over time. Either way, not a good thing.
The problem is even if he gives you the boat free, if you put a bunch of money in it, it's still unsellable.

Thanks for your thoughts Cheechako, I'm wondering if it is the hull-deck hardware that was glassed in. In short, I think you're on to something.

[ShakenSeraph]

Originally Posted by Bullshooter

Hard to tell but to me it just looks like screws under the rub rail are backing out, bulging the the rub rail.

Bullshooter, I think it could be the hull deck screws. It could either be water that got in and expanded as the temperature drops or just old fibreglass shrinking as some other commentators have pointed out.

Thanks for your thoughts!

[ShakenSeraph]

Originally Posted by guyrj33

It looks like a hull to deck joint with an outward flange, covered by the black rub rail. Often the joint was covered with a plastic channel that holds the rub rail in place.
I suspect the rub rail has been rubbing up and down on the dock pilings and has been dislodged from the channel underneath.

GuyRJ,

I would agree with you, but there are bubbles of fibreglass that are blossoming outwards which are causing the waves in the rub rail. I wish it was just rubbing up and down that caused the rub rail to move, but there is definitely some kind of bubble underneath. I just hope it was purposeful rather than a side effect of something sinister.

[ShakenSeraph]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

It looks like water intrusion to me, as well. The reason it is symmetrical is that the stanchions and bolts are not properly sealed on either side!

If we are correct, who think it is water intrusion, while wet, the water gets in, affected by gravity, and flows to wherever it stops. But, it is trapped there, and when a freeze occurs, it freezes, too, and expands, opening the area further. Timber affected will start to rot, wicking further leaks along the timber.

Sorry, mate.

Ann

This could be too. I'll take a closer look and ask the current owner how the stanchions and bolts were sealed. The stanchions look new, so I suspect the current owner was involved in the installation.

Thanks!

[Mike Banks]

Check tension on the mast lateral stays. I suspect they may be too tight.

[Don C L]

We need a photo farther aft, under the coaming and deck, above the quarter berth. Sure is a neat looking little boat, I bet she sails well.

[Jim Cate]

fiberglass shrinkage?? Never heard of that myself. Perhaps it explains boats advertised as x feet in length actually measuring somewhat less! Wait long enough and you can move into a shorter marina berth...

Seriously, I've not experienced or observed such shrinkage, and kinda doubt that it exists.

Jim

[ShakenSeraph]

Originally Posted by Mike Banks

Check tension on the mast lateral stays. I suspect they may be too tight.

I'll check in and report back. Hopefully will be conducting a test sail soon.

[ShakenSeraph]

Originally Posted by Don C L

We need a photo farther aft, under the coaming and deck, above the quarter berth. Sure is a neat looking little boat, I bet she sails well.

Yeah, I hear you. I'll be sure to investigate in the next couple of weeks when we do the test sail.

And I sure hope so. All the research I do on Shipman's make them seem like little wonderboats. We'll see!

Best,
Seraph