I recently purchased a 1985 Catalina 30. The survey noted several small hairline cracks 1 or 2 inches long in the fiberglass support beam at the top of the compression post. I had the mast pulled and the step checked by a reputable yard, and was told that the hairline cracks were the normal result of stress from the deck-stepped mast and that if repaired they would probably reappear. Any experience with similar small stress cracks by the compression post and suggestions on whether this is normal for a Catalina 30 after 15 years, and what repair is indicated and feasible?
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Hairline Cracks/Compression Post
David - We bought an '81 C-30 last year and had a simliar crack in the liner at the compression post. Our surveyor said the same thing. Since you had your mast pulled you probably already checked for any deck compression under the maststep -- doesn't sound like you had anything there, which is good. I also suggest you examine the very base of the compression post in the bilge -- there is a block of wood in the bilge under the compression post; you want to make sure it's solid. It may be covered by a facing of fiberglass at the forward end of the bilge. Make sure the fiberglass is watertight, and if the block is exposed you should reseal it with penetrating epoxy. Mike Turner S/Y Amity Long Beach
David - We bought an '81 C-30 last year and had a simliar crack in the liner at the compression post. Our surveyor said the same thing. Since you had your mast pulled you probably already checked for any deck compression under the maststep -- doesn't sound like you had anything there, which is good. I also suggest you examine the very base of the compression post in the bilge -- there is a block of wood in the bilge under the compression post; you want to make sure it's solid. It may be covered by a facing of fiberglass at the forward end of the bilge. Make sure the fiberglass is watertight, and if the block is exposed you should reseal it with penetrating epoxy. Mike Turner S/Y Amity Long Beach
Hair line cracks
Mant "cracks" in fiberglass are really only in the get coat. Gel coat is not really a "structural" element of the laminate it is "cosmetic". As the boat expands/contracts from the environment and flexes slightly from use the gel coat which is more brittle than the underlying laminate may develop cracks.It's not really pretty but many times is not something to worry about from a safety perspective. Now if the crack is into the laminate and goes deep enough to see some of the little strands of glass that reinforce the structure then that's a different situation totally. My boat is 28 years old and "sat" unused and it appears unwashed for 10 years. The gel coat is crazed in quite a few spots from neglect and just plain weathering but miraculously none of the structure was affected. Guess the build up of dirt actually "protected" the boat after a while! Travers
Mant "cracks" in fiberglass are really only in the get coat. Gel coat is not really a "structural" element of the laminate it is "cosmetic". As the boat expands/contracts from the environment and flexes slightly from use the gel coat which is more brittle than the underlying laminate may develop cracks.It's not really pretty but many times is not something to worry about from a safety perspective. Now if the crack is into the laminate and goes deep enough to see some of the little strands of glass that reinforce the structure then that's a different situation totally. My boat is 28 years old and "sat" unused and it appears unwashed for 10 years. The gel coat is crazed in quite a few spots from neglect and just plain weathering but miraculously none of the structure was affected. Guess the build up of dirt actually "protected" the boat after a while! Travers
Travers - Dirt a Good Thing???
Hey Travers, I'm glad to learn that dirt provides protective coating that is good for my boat. Now I won't feel so guilty about now washing it so often!
Hey Travers, I'm glad to learn that dirt provides protective coating that is good for my boat. Now I won't feel so guilty about now washing it so often!
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