CRACKING UNDER DINETTE

[John]

Below the dinette, and just forward of the aft seat I notice a small crack that is located about 6 inches above the deck, on the curved part of the hull. It appears to be on a slightly raised area and to the touch, it feels like egg shells. I also notice almost a drop or two of water. What should I make of this? As I see the crack goes through, and I don't see the ocean (ha ha), I think that is a plus. Could this just be an airpocket that has built up some residual water over the years?

 

[Steve Dion]

Is this area near the fix port?

John:6" above the deck! Is this near the fixed port and the last opening port on the starboard side?or did you mean to say 6" above the cabin sole?If this is the case, then you are talking about the liner that is cracked!Do you see ANY damage on the exterior?

 

[John]

Reply for Steve

I have looked again and the small crack is actually about 3 inches from the wood decking underneath the dinette as you move up the curve of the hull. Nothing on the exterior of the boat leads me to believe their is anything there. As I tap the area, I can tell that it is not a solid area. How will the liner, if that is what it is, affect me? What are you referring to as "fix port?"

 

[Steve Dion]

Moisture from condensation.

John:You can pretty much assume that ANY smooth gelcoat on the inside of the your boat is the liner. If you look at the area under the v-berth, under the shaft area or in the bilge you will see that you do not have smooth gelcoat in these areas. This is the inside of the hull. The areas that have gelcoat (like the hull) on the inside are the liner.My best guess is that crack and the moisture are probably just consensation that is trapped between the hull and the liner. Once you are sure that there is really nothing there that is leaking, I'd just get some Marine Tex and put a little patch over the spot. This is really not must of a problem. I would assume that this was probably caused by something hitting the liner and causing a crack.The fixed port (window) that I was refering to is the 'window' above the dinette area. Sorry about the confusion (my problem).