stress fracture?

[Joetech]

Looked at a real beauty of a '86 Cat 27 today. Everything looks very good and the boat seems to have been well cared for over the years. It was in heated, indoor storage. This is good because it was in the mid 20's and a good breeze going so scraping off the snow to inspect a boat in these conditions would not have been my idea of fun.
Only potential problem is a small crack going from the mast step on the strbrd side down to the smaller hatch on that side. The crack appears to go up under the metal step and then aft to the sea hood. I did not detect any softness in the area. I pushed and stepped on the area extensively. The crack is not very wide. Maybe 1/16th of an inch at best. Depth? hard to tell. I took a lot on pictures but neglected to take one of the crack.
So the question is: Is this a common problem? Should I pass on this boat? Is this merely a surface crack that is easily fixed?

 

[shipwreck66]

Can''t tell from your profile where you are located, but from the sound I would guess bead of water (moisture) got trapped in there and froze near the surface. In which case the repair would entail just sanding affected area and fill. Water will follow wiring down the mast into the cabin roof where it may have frozen. I've always wondered where Catalina hid the wires that come down from the mast, I think you just answered my question. Yep, starboard leading back to the electric panel.

 

[sandpiper10471]

A 1/16th crack in gelcoat is huge! And will lead to major problems. However, except for finding the time, it is a relatively easy fix depending on how far the moisture had penetrated.

 

[Donnybrook]

I also have an 86 Cat27. I have a hairline crack the runs from the stbd opening port to about halfway to the mast step. As long as there is not any dimpling around the mast step or at the bottom of the mast support at the cabin floor, I would not worry about it. It should be cleaned out and filled with epoxy.

 

[dive7mmwet]

not steal the thread same thing? with photos

Not to steal or as you say Hijack the thread,
Have the same cracking around starboard side of mast step on a 1983 27 Cat.

Deck seems sound and no detectable soft spots and took photos sorry they are so big.
Any thoughts stored northern cold climate,
the weep holes mast base are clean, and all looks good inside.
Thanks any advice.

 

[sandpiper10471]

The core is wet. Might not be soft yet but it will be in a few years.

 

[dive7mmwet]

Thanks will get the mast down and start another project!

 

[Ajay73]

Thanks will get the mast down and start another project!

You could make a couple of test borings and determine the condition of the wood core first. Make them around the perimeter of the cracks. Might want to remove the sea hood and make some borings aft of the mast step. You would want to get an idea of the area in need of repair.

 

[dive7mmwet]

You could make a couple of test borings and determine the condition of the wood core first. Make them around the perimeter of the cracks. Might want to remove the sea hood and make some borings aft of the mast step. You would want to get an idea of the area in need of repair.

Thanks
that's what we are up to as it warms up!