liner cracks

[Oscar]

I'm interested to know if anyone has experinced small hairline cracks in the liner of the Capri 16.5 cockpit. These cracks appear at the port side where the transom and seating area meet. There is additional cracking (hairine) on the Starboard side up near the cuddy bulkhead. This boat was purchased new last summer. Due to career issues it has not been on the water much. It is trailered and covered with a well ventilated cover. It does have a factory supplied and dealer installed motor mount on the port side.The motor it typically carries is a portable 3.3 hp, 2 cyl Mercury. Anyone have any ideas as to the source and significance of these cracks?

 

[Ray Seligman]

Catalina 16.5

Hi, Don;t have an answer but thought I would pose a question. About 20 years ago I owned an O'Day Day Sailer and had a great time with it, daysailing and occasionally racing. I want to get back into sailing and I am excited about the Catalina 16.5. Should I be? I can't seem to get any feedback on the boat. Looks like it has a fairly large sail/weight ration which I assume means that it moves out well. Any thoughts? Is there another similar boat that you would recommend instead? Please reply to RJS@ssscomp.com. Much thanks.

 

[Oscar]

follow-up

Ray, I have not had the opportunity to sail this boat as much as I expected. Since buying it about 9 months ago it has been out just a few times,in mild to moderate breezes. I thought it handled very well. It doesn't take much to get it moving. And does seem forgiving when things pick up. It also trailers well, launching and retrieving with no real hassle. At this point I'm not ready to recommend a different boat. These fine cracks in the liner have not yet turned me off. But as you can see I am trying to get a better feel for their significance and cause. I still think Catalina builds a fine boat. If there is any caution I would offer it would be to recognize that the choice of dealer is as important as your choice of boat.