Hull cracks

[Hugh Straub]

As my 1993 model 23.5 is getting her bottom done in anticipation of returning to the water, I noted cracking at the forward port corner of the centerboard trunk. I guess 20 years of lowering the board with a "thunk" had taken its toll. Because I'd removed the board from the trunk in the past, it only took about 15 minutes to have the board out so the yard could make the fiberglass repair. Others may wish to check the forward end of the CB trunk when their boats are on the hard.

Found another crack at the joint between the transom molding and the hull molding right under the lower pintle. I'd read on this web site earlier posts about this spot being a potential problem area. Fortunately the crack was quickly gouged out and a new fiberglas applied. All easily fixed and hopefully we'll be back in the water by the beginning of October, when the weather here finally cools off.

Kind regards

Hugh

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Most of the time cracks seen in the gel coat from experience were cosmetic. Anyway, I use to use a good two part epoxy when that crack was gouged out and filled in as long as the fiberglass was not cracked. Being in the centerboard trunk housing, I would then apply several coats of epoxy barrier coat over the repair. Most were then painted with anti fouling paint.

As for the hull to deck joint on the transom, the marine putty that is between the two over time can crack depending on use which is a simple fix which most of you can do with some instruction.

crazy dave