Looking for "words from the wise" here.
I have owned a 17', full-welded, aluminum hull boat for 11 years.
Over that time I have occasionally heard oil-canning coming from the bow
when going through moderate to severe chop (usually on the Columbia River -
some excursions to the bays along the Oregon coast)
Recently, it seems the problem is becoming more evident and in fact I can
now see where the hull has "flattened" out between the chine and the keel in
a short section between internal hull supporting members at the bow.
FYI..hull thickness is .125
The boat doesn't owe me a penny....really used it for these 11 years and
many a pacific Salmon has taken it's final nap in the fish box
;-)......however, no one makes a boat to match that I can find (the maker of
my boat discontinued the model 10 year ago) so, while buying a shiny new
boat is appealing, I am looking to fix the problem rather than replace the
boat.
The area of the hull that is affected is under a sealed compartment. Would
filling that compartment with 2-part expanding foam give me any relief or
would it just "mush" out when the hull deflects at wave impact?
I have also considered having a couple of lifting strakes welded to the hull
across the offending area.
Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance!

Don
Vancouver, WA