The things you find looking around your newly purchasd boat

[scottmellloyditude]

So, I pulled the cushions and the boards and had a look under the V-birth and it looked pretty good until I saw this crack in the fiberglass.. Any idea if this can just be glassed over or is there some thing else I should be concerned about?











Thanks,
Scott & Mel

 

[FastOlson]

Re: The things you find looking around your newly purchasd

Tabbing is breaking loose due to past slamming into head seas, would be my guess.
Grind back, and reinforce with some bi-ax fabric and epoxy.

L

 

[wild cat 2 34]

So, I pulled the cushions and the boards and had a look under the V-birth and it looked pretty good until I saw this crack in the fiberglass.. Any idea if this can just be glassed over or is there some thing else I should be concerned about?

<img src="http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=90345"/>

<img src="http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=90346"/>

Thanks,
Scott & Mel

The reason it cracked there, may not only be because of waves and the boat crashing against them. You may want to put say a 12 in wide piece pressed deep into that corner, followed by a six inch piece, followed by say a 3 inch piece. Try to get both sides of your glass completely covered. Smothing it out and fairing it on the edges. Doubling it at the center of the crack. Build it up and try to round the corner for extra strength and rigidity. A rounder corner will be much stronger than a squared off corner. I would do both sides.
This is easy work and an easy fix. Once you become a pro, check out other bulkheads. You may have more. Fix them all. You can also buy a book I found really helpful, the seaworthy offshore sailboat. Wow, just amazing what he covers. Safe journeys.

 

[scottmellloyditude]

Re: The things you find looking around your newly purchasd

Thanks. Will have to check out the book. Another thing to add to the to do list!!

 

[Donnybrook]

Re: The things you find looking around your newly purchasd

That vertical panel does nothing more than keep the holding tank in place and keep stored gear from hitting the tank. It is not structural and was simply tabbed to the hull. Probably been that way for years. I wouldn't worry about it unless all the tabbing let go.

 

[py26129]

Re: The things you find looking around your newly purchasd

I'd still fix it as described above. It may not be structural in the sense that the boat will not fall apart without it, but it still provides stiffening to the hull and I would feel better knowing that it's attached to the boat properly next time I;m out in rough weather.

 

[scottmellloyditude]

Re: The things you find looking around your newly purchasd

Thanks you guys. It's on our to do list but not at the top. It will get repaired.... Eventually!!