H34 cracks

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T

Ted

There are some cracks under the adjuster. Can anybody tell me what may cause it and how serious can be the impact. Thanks.
 

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A

Alex

moisture??

My first thought is moisture in the fiberglass causeing the cracking. Perhaps the rail is leaking or moisture came from somewhere else that is weakening the fiberglass and wood behind it.
 
A

Alex

additional

Nobody else has seem to reply so I thought Id add that if it is moisture problem it can cause loss in strength in the deck as the moisture travels under the deck. I dont know if you have ever pulled the track up and resealed it before. This is something that on a boat of its age needs to be done as the caulk if original has dried out most likely. If you have a moisture meter you can check if there is excessive amounts along the genoa track, otherwise you might want to consider pulling it up and taking a heat gun to the holes carefully to dry out the moisture in the wood below the fiberglass, and then resealing it. Ofcourse before resealing it you would want to perhaps lay some new fiberglass or what not to take care of the cracked away stuff.
 
Oct 14, 2005
2,191
1983 Hunter H34 North East, MD
Fred...

they run parallel to both sides of the jib car track, below the fixed port, by what appears to be leaf in the recess.
 
J

Jerry Keto

Likely to be gelcoat crazing from flexing?

Ted, Never seen it this extensive on an H34 before. Mine has a couple of short ones in the track (6" maybe) but it's only crazing in the gelcoat and not structural or moisture related (i.e., cosmetic). This is more likely caused by flexing but I can't imagine seeing the loads that would induce it to the extent in your picture. Do they travel the full length on either side of the track?
 
J

John

First thing I would do is-

Check every bolt on that track for tightness. If some of them were loose than the stress concentration while under way could cause deck deformation and crack the gel coat. But the bolts have to be very loose for deck deformation big enough to crack the gel coat. The possibility like this is low, but it cost nothing do to it and you probably will find some of the bolt was loose or isn't tight.
 
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