I own a Tartan 27-2, #683. There is a crack in the rear section of the forward hatch…how serious is this and what is the best course forward.
Just how screwed am I?
- Thread starter BuzzBay
- Start date
Take a sander or angle grinder and open that up a bit...tough to know what's going on without seeing beyond the paint. Has there been history of water entry? Is this a new boat for you?
Did it happen suddenly or over time? Any issues with the standing rigging?
Almost everything on a boat is fixable with time, interest to learn and determination.
Did it happen suddenly or over time? Any issues with the standing rigging?
Almost everything on a boat is fixable with time, interest to learn and determination.
The crack is between the deck and the headliner. Around hatches these areas are often filled with polyester based putty. Over time the putty shrinks a bit and become brittle causing the cracks. That's the most likely scenario and an easy fix. As @marcham mentioned the full story can't be known without removing the paint or gelcoat covering the area. Time spent with a sander should give more insight.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 24,453
While #1 appears to be true based on the image, your focus on the Hatch as the cause may not be actual.
The image appears to have been taken with the camera facing towards the companion way. There is no mast base located in the image. The question is one of hatch location. Is the hatch in question the one located on the ship diagram? If so the next question would be has the mast been removed?
The boat is located in the NE. In that region, removal of masts and boats happens during winter storage. The ingress of water may not be from the hatch alone. Water damage may be from the hole left by the removed mast and not covered properly over the winter. It could be damage from water between the deck and the salon ceiling that froze and expanded. All of these are undefined in the original post. Inspection beyond the hatch is warranted.
@marcham
is spot on when he says: "Almost everything on a boat is fixable with time, interest to learn, and determination.What are you talking about? I never said nor implied that the hatch was the cause. The cause I suggested is based on the characteristics of polyester and polyester putty.
Of course not, the mast is keel stepped and this is close up shot of the headliner. The drawing you posted clearly shows the mast and the mast partners are clearly shown in the photo.
If you really want to debate an issue, at least pay attention to what the other party actually stated. Otherwise you just look like a troll or someone with an axe to grind.
That was my impression also. You never said the cause was the hatch. It is just that the crack is "around" the hatch. Maybe just a poor choice of phrasing by John. Probably some AI slop.
Agreed. Take an angle grinder and open that crack up. You might get lucky and just need to fill it in with some epoxy putty, fair, and paint. But at least you will know once you see what is going on inside. If you get to solid material then you are okay. If not, repost a new pic and start this thread over.
No one mentioned checking the deck for de-lam, softness, and stepping hard/jumping lightly to confirm it is sturdy. If it sounds OK and the crack does not move when stepping on the area, probably not bad. A little fiberglass work and some paint matching. You will want to bevel and glass the whole width.