Are these cracks around the mast minor?

[danstanford]

As with the bad paint thread I started, I am looking for any input on these cracks (port side of the mast only) in the gelcoat. By stepping on the surface, the glass seemed solid and not soft, but there are cracks nonetheless. I wondered if the one side only thing meant that some previous rigging problem had led to a lot of stress on one side at one time.

Thanks, Dan

 

[Deleted member 78819]

It might be worth having a survey done before making an offer...

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

or an offer contingent upon a satisfactory survey

 

[Steve Dion]

Check the compression post stand in the bilge. This is a common problem with older Cherubini's. If it is corroded the mast will add additional pressure on the compression post.

 

[danstanford]

Thanks for all of the feedback. To be honest, these appear to be very minor cracks and ones that appear to be only in the gelcoat rather than into the glass layers. These questions are designed to help decide if I should just abandon this boat or move forward in the process. At this time, I am just trying to work up the nerve to throw an offer on the boat which will allow me to do surveys and a thorough review, before writing the big cheque. Dan

 

[Steve W]

My previous boat was an '81 33 and had the same cracks. I "dug" them out and they were just gelcoat cracks, nothing structural and no water intrusion. Don't forget that when you make your offer, the Contract of Sale should have a bail-out clause (with ALL your money back, including your deposit!) along the lines of "...contingent on acceptable survey". Having said that, that boat (and all the Cherubini designed Hunters) are great boats! I loved ours for the 18 years we owned her.

My suggestion is that if you love the boat, make your offer and then when you survey, point out that area to the surveyer to make sure he/she checks it with the hammer and moisture meter. I'd bet it's just gelcoat cracks, mainly cosmetic and easily fixed.