Hunter 25.5 hull crack by pads

[Canonshooternb]

I am fairly new to sailboat repair and Hunters and hoping that I will find information here from the more experienced.
Recently I purchased a 1985 25.5 Hunter in great shape from a fellow about 200 km away. I transported the boat home sitting in its cradle on a tandem float. When I got home and was going over every spec with a magnifying glass I noticed a small crack about 10" long that runs parallel to the boat and is about 6" center of where the fore pad is. When the boat was lifted by the crane they used the overhead frame with built in spreaders so not to exert excessive pressure. The only thing i can figure is that maybe a bump in the road may have caused this but I am only guessing here.

I have 2 questions

1. Has any other Hunters owners experienced this type of cracking ?

2. How serious is it and how do I go about repairing it. I am pretty good with my hands and have many tools.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Paul

 

[KD3PC]

please explain in more detail, where the crack is, and "how" it was picked up (slings Under the boat?)


I would certainly gain access to the crack from behind (interior) to make sure that it is in fact superficial...from the pic, it does not appear so, to me....i.e. not a gelcoat crack
thanks

 

[Canonshooternb]

The boat was lifted out using a frame and slings. I have added a picture. On the inside there is no sign of the crack it is only visible from the outside. the location is about 3 " lateral to the speed sensor shown in the image.

Paul

please explain in more detail, where the crack is, and "how" it was picked up (slings Under the boat?)


I would certainly gain access to the crack from behind (interior) to make sure that it is in fact superficial...from the pic, it does not appear so, to me....i.e. not a gelcoat crack
thanks

 

[Steve Walsh]

The first thing that caught my attention was that the bottom paint appears to extend into the crack. I would expect to see the lighter fiberglass and gelcoat colors inside the crack if it was a new crack. Is it possible that an existing crack had been filled in with bottom paint and opened up during transport?

 

[KD3PC]

Thanks Paul,

Were it me, whilst the boat is on the hard, I would open up the crack a bit and repair the gelcoat with as close a color as I could. Check it again after the winter, just before splashing to make sure it is still in good shape.

Others may post their thoughts, but it doesn't look to bad in the pics, and doesn't go through the hull.

dave