I have a 2003 Hunter 356 that has gelcoat cracks. Most of these are shallow (maybe a dozen) and just need repair. The BIG concern is around the inner chainplate on both sides. I had a survey last month and he suggested I beef up the coach top between the windows in the chainplate area to prevent this from recurring. 1) So; does this sound reasonable or needed? I have not read of others having this as a structural problem. Leads me to consider a smaller strengthening effort as adequate? Does a couple layers of fiberglass inside sound like a reasonable correction or should I opt for the bigger SS support on the inside that he recommended?
Gelcoat cracks
- Thread starter SeaMoore
- Start date
Does your mast have the two s/s struts from the chain plates back to the mast ? If not I would add those first. I heard they were only supposed to be used on the boats without inmast furling but a lot of the earlier boats with inmast got them anyways. Our boat is a 2003 and has the struts, it does not have any stress cracks around the chain plates.
Btw the factory kit to strengthen the chain plates uses a s/s wire from the inside on the chain plate down the inside of the wall cabinet to an anchor point on the hull.
Bob
Btw the factory kit to strengthen the chain plates uses a s/s wire from the inside on the chain plate down the inside of the wall cabinet to an anchor point on the hull.
Bob
I do have the SS struts on my mast to chainplate. I have in mast furling system. The cracks on both sides run across, window to window.
Did you contact Hunter directly about this ? I would also send Steve Pettengill a picture in an email asking his opinion. He knows everything about these boats.
good luck, Bob
good luck, Bob
Re: Hunter contact; No I did not contact the factory. This is my beginning attempts at communication. I did send Steve Pettengill an email today. Thanks for a "boost up"; I never have had a problem with any of my Hunters before.