[quote=MN3][quote] I did open up the access port but the crack is far up enough that its hard to get a good look or have physical access to the cracks from the inside. When I did open it up though, there was water inside the hull and it was slowly leaking out through the crack. [/quote]
I replaced both side stay tangs on my 5.5 via access ports in the front bow (forward of the beam).
I cut a whole through the bulkheads to gain access, and the tangs that were bolted in place 3 or 4 feet behind the front beam.
we used wrenches on home made poles to hold the nut while we slammed the outside of the screw with an impact screwdriver (ugg), cameras on sticks to view everything before, during and after the work, etc - i was surprised but it was possible to replace hardware like this
point is. i would look deeper before giving up on internal view/work
I would recommend you get a helper to shine a really powerful light on the cracks externally while you use a video camera (phone, gopro) etc on a stick to get a better view inside. look at the inside sans any light to view the cracks (with the light shining) and then add a flashlight or similar to get MANY other views of the inside (video is best)
If you are leaking through - you know you have internal damage and your best bet would be to get some glass cloth inside the repair as well as outside - this can all be done via remote work / but in the end you may need to cut another small access port sized hole to really get to this repair. and then re seal the new access hole.
this all stinks on a new to you boat. but almost all things can be repaired[/quote]
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