cracking noise in cockpit area?

[RichieR]

Hi guys. So as ive been working on my v21 i notice a cracking noise when i step either on the seat or floor in the cockpit area. I dont weight a ton like 120lbs. So im wondering what is up with this and how i make it stop.would putting some pieces of wood or something under the cockpit floor help? Or would putting more fiberglass on the area help? I did notice that that area is basically suspended and doesnt seem to have much support. Im assuming you guys are going to tell me its delamination or something. Im just worried about taking a few friends out on it and it having issues. There doesnt seem to be any soft spots just a cracking sound from under or within the fiberglass. There was a bunch of hairline cracks in the gelcoat running alll along the floor (from the front to back of cockpit floor) which i fixed up nicely, i dont know if that is an indicator that the cockpit needs more support. Has anyone else with a v21 had these issues annd if so how did you fix them? And also sorry for the book i just wrote there...
Thanks

 

[justsomeguy]

snip- Im assuming you guys are going to tell me its delamination or something. -snip

You assume correctly. It's most likely delamination.

My portside cockpit seat makes a bit of noise when sat upon, and I've thought about drilling a couple of holes, one at either end of the problem area, and injecting a slurry of epoxy at one end.
Then, as the epoxy begins to emerge from the hole at the other end, place weights on the fiberglass/gelcoat, squeezing out >95% of the stuff.

Seems a bit of a waste of epoxy, and the seat handles my 170 or so pounds just fine.

How did you fix your hairline cracks?

 

[RichieR]

I scraped out the cracks and used some evercoat gelcoat paste qnd coloring agent. It came out okay. It wouldve worked better on a non white surface because of my lack of color matching with white. If you do it right you can bearly see where the cracks were. Id recommend a dremel or whatever you call it. I used the pointy end of a bottle opener and figured out that method takes forever. The cracks were cosmetic and didnt go thru the fiberglass. But it was in the corners. So where there was no plywood. So this epoxy method, you drill two holes in the problem area? These holes are they done on the underside? Or topside? I dont want to be putting holes in the outside of my boat. Haha. I may try and put some wood under the cockpit area for support. Like if i put some of that fiberglass cloth under the seat would that help? Maybe beef her up a bit?

 

[justsomeguy]

snip- So this epoxy method, you drill two holes in the problem area? These holes are they done on the underside? Or topside? I dont want to be putting holes in the outside of my boat. Haha. I may try and put some wood under the cockpit area for support. Like if i put some of that fiberglass cloth under the seat would that help? Maybe beef her up a bit?

In my case, the topside skin seems to be the problem, and working upside-down can get pretty messy!

If you can get under the problem area without too much difficulty, maybe you could have someone else create the cracking noises while you watch/feel for movement?

 

[MrBill_FLL]

IMHO, this product would be good for that repair.

http://www.westsystem.com/ss/new-six10-epoxy-adhesive/

 

[Doc_holiday]

If you aren't using the space below, you could install a bulkhead or a compression post like you have under the mast.

 

[JoeSailer10]

My venture has Styrofoam packed under the center of the cockpit, adds as bit of support. I also have an older venture that was mistreated and getting parted out. The cockpit is cracked so that it leaks into the interior of the boat. There was no support under the cockpit. So I would definitely get something underneath for support.

 

[RichieR]

I have the foam under my cockpit too. But the foam just sits there. It doesnt support the cockpit at all. I couldnt find any scrap wood around the house to fit the little area i need. Ill keep looking i guess.