cracks, Are they serious?

ghostwriter247 · Post by **ghostwriter247** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 4:19 pm

Hello,

Im new to sailing but have read up quite a bit so long in theory and short on application.

Im looking at a 1966 24 Sailstar Bristol and had a couple of questions about repair There are some cracks emanating on the right hand side right below the water line There are about for moving forward about two feet and then bending down in a half moon shape about where the mast is on the body.

Heres the important part but it might be coincidence. Its on the hard and the cracks are where the forward side block is. Was it set down hard maybe?

They also continue forward about a foot. They look kind of like crazing. you can catch a nail on them but thats about it. There is no depth to them at all. other than that the hull looks sound. No blisters, but there are some places that have chips out of the paint and i think I can see fiber glass below. once again, no real depth but you could catch a nail on them.

Are these just cracks in the gel coat? Could I sand to feather them out a bit and then fair with epoxy or vinylester and micro balloons? Coudl I just not worry about them and put on new bottom paint?

Its been on the hard for about 5 months but was in the water for 10 years prior to that.

Other than these two items the hull seems solid.

Id have pictures but my batteries were dead when i got to the marina today. murphys law i guess

Thanks a bunch.

Post by **Tim** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 4:28 pm

Old boats tend to be full of little cracks like that, and from your description they don't sound significant.

All boats move under the various dynamic loads imparted upon them (rigging loads, wave cycles, etc). This slight sort of movement over time can cause stress cracks in hulls and decks. From your description, it sounds like you have typical cracks, but photos and so forth would be most instructive.