Downeaster Yachts.com - Topic: DE32 Construction Technique Inquiry.

Argyle38 on DE32 Construction Technique Inquiry.

Sat, 19 Aug 2023 17:31:38 -0400

Yes, there is a large bronze fitting that the rudder sits on. Very beefy part. It is a U-shape and sits over a tab of fiberglass with four lateral bolts that attach it to the hull. When I first got Argyle, I had the cracks as you describe. I ground away all the epoxy around the shoe and removed the bolts. (Wasn't nearly has hard a job as I was expecting.) With the bolts removed, I tried to remove the shoe to inspect/seal what was underneath. I really really tried to remove it. It didn't budge. Didn't want to break the thing (even if I could) because then I'm talking to a freaking bronze foundry. So, I figured if I couldn't remove it, it was pretty secure. I replaced the bronze bolts with new and epoxied around it. Over the years I've had to re-do some small cracks in the epoxy and just this last spring I had to re-epoxy the whole thing after about 13 years. Hasn't been really been a problem. Never heard of one failing or falling off.

I'm not a boat builder but I highly doubt any boats are built in two halves. However, the molds are definitely built in two halves and the seam you see is just the joining of the two halves of the molds. The molds are put together and the hull is built from the outside in, starting with mold release, then the gelcote, then the resin and fiberglass. When that's done the two halves of the mold are separated, releasing the bare hull. The seam down the middle is common on fiberglass boats.

-Argyle

Groginator on DE32 Construction Technique Inquiry.

Sat, 12 Aug 2023 00:04:52 -0400

Thanks a bunch for taking the time to reply. I thought these hulls were constructed in one piece so that line came as a surprise to me.

I'm looking at buying this boat and if there was an issue in those 2 areas it would be cause for some cocern

Thankx again....

mgav451 on DE32 Construction Technique Inquiry.

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 10:56:35 -0400

Now don't quote me here but my guesses are ;. I've got a de 32 1977. I think the hull is made in 2 halves and glassed together. Under my keel I have the same outline. My rib down the centerline isn't perfectly symmetrical. The was a gap in the bottom.I filled mine in and faired it. For the rudder the bottom is a bronze foot bolted and glassed over partially. I thought mine was cracked there and started grinding. If my memory was correct I got to a bolt head then stopped. I didn't get to far into it to know much more

Groginator on DE32 Construction Technique Inquiry.

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 12:08:49 -0400

Hi Folks....I am looking at buying a DE32 and during the dive survey some issues are coming up that I could use some insight into I can't find answers to online or in this group.

1.) Is there a separate"shoe" that supports the rudder pintle at the bottom that is attached to the keel area and then covered over. I am seeing some cracks in this area that suggest that is the case. They run parallel to the bottom for about 18" then make a 90 degree bend toward the bottom. Anyone had this area apart?

2.) When these hulls are built are they done so in one continuous layup or is the hull built in half sections then joined together somehow? I am seeing a very clear line down the center of the keel bottom that is midpoint and straight as an arrow but not flush to each other but somewhat offset. What is going on here.

Thanks for any insight you can offer on this.

Greg