Cracks or crazing around the mast!

[Les]

I am looking to buy my first boat and found an Oday 23 at a local club. I notice that there are some hairline cracks or "crazing" near where the mast attaches. I don't know much about sail boats yet and was wondering if this is a serious problem? The cracks are the width of a hair and about a foot long or so. Common sense tells me that this is a bad thing! Any help is appriciated.

 

[Mike Basham]

Mine Doesn't Have Any

I've got a 1972 23' O'Day, and while I do have some hairline cracks at various places on the toerails and a few other places, I don't have any around the base of the mast. You might want to check inside and make sure that the bulkhead under the mast is in place. It acts as a compression post under the mast, keeping the cabin top from flexing. I've had mine for about a year, and we've had a blast with it. I hope this is helpful. Let us know what you decide to do!