Daggerboard too wide and won't fit in the hole

This season I pulled my 18 out of storage and now one of my daggerboards is too wide in the middle and won't fit in the hull anymore. I assume it had water infiltrate it over the winter and cause swelling??

Is this common?

I'm planning on getting after it with the belt sander, then doing a new gel coat in that area. Is there a better plan (that doesn't cost $600 for a new board?)

Thanks!

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78 Hobie 18.

try on the other side?

Try drilling a 1/4” hole all the way through at the fattest point. If there is water there, it will weep out. Make sure hole is unobstructed and then leave inside or in warm area for a week and see if swelling goes down.

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John Forbes
Hobie 18 Reimagined
Sail # 490
Boat name: 18@heart
http://www.hobie18.fun
https://www.facebook.com/Hobie18catamaran/

I did this, but at the same time had heavy weights on it. It made a drastic improvement. To finish the process I put resin in the holes then put lots of weight on it while drying. I think this helped it adhere the glass back to the inner foam. It's not perfect but it works now. Thanks.

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78 Hobie 18.

Cool. Thanks for the update. I’m glad you got some improvement.

_________________
John Forbes
Hobie 18 Reimagined
Sail # 490
Boat name: 18@heart
http://www.hobie18.fun
https://www.facebook.com/Hobie18catamaran/