weak fiberglass or over tightened stay?

[make]

Going to the Marina today I noticed this damage on the large 40+ footer. I think the core is rotten and just caved in from the tension. This boat apparently lost it's original mast few years ago(deck stepped)fiberglass damage.jpg Views: 204 Size: 53.0 KB ID: 40707" style="margin: 2px" />

[Jim Cate]

Ugly picture!

Most stemhead fittings have a strap that runs down the outside of the stem, but I can't tell from the pic if that was the case here. If such a strap is there, I can't see how that damage could result from overtension. Perhaps there was a collision with a dock or such that stove it in... who knows?

But I'm glad it isn't my boat!

Cheers,

Jim

[David_Old_Jersey]

My take:-

Stem was damaged (a crunch with the dock or the mast coming down would do it) or the fittings were simply screwed into cored fibreglass.

The Core got wet.

The deck got weak.

The tension on the forestay did the rest (plus helped the core get ever wetter and the deck ever weaker).

[make]

[QUOTE=Jim Cate;944835]Ugly picture!

Most stemhead fittings have a strap that runs down the outside of the stem, but I can't tell from the pic if that was the case here. If such a strap is there, I can't see how that damage could result from overtension. Perhaps there was a collision with a dock or such that stove it in... who knows?

But I'm glad it isn't my boat!

Cheers,

Jim[/QUOTE
The boat has not moved from the dock since last summer and the damage was not there in the winter(I walk by the boat on my way all the time)
here are few more pic. I think it is a Catalina but not sure.

[osirissail]

Is the boat docked "stern-to" where the bow sticks out into the waterway between the piers?

If so, then maybe somebody who was turning around, accidentally ran his bow anchor up onto the boat and as the other boat backed down the anchor ripped some of the fiberglass outward.

Since the fiberglass seems to be pulled out from the boat and there appears to be a forestay chain plate strap running down the bow, I would suggest something ripped or pushed/pulled the deck edge causing the tear.

[Cheechako]

looks like impact damage to me....

[minaret]

Someone hit this boat or it hit something. Seriously doubt this is the result of core issues. Both hull and deck are damaged, and even if both are cored it is very rare for core to be carried all the way out to the hull/deck joint on either. Core in way of a stem fitting like this would be pretty unheard of in the hull, usually it is solid glass and the laminates from either side of the hull often overlap here, meaning it is twice as thick as well. Looks like classic impact damage to me.

[Samantha ann]

I believe this is an Irwin. If like mine there is straight glass up on th

[Samantha ann]

Stem. Ask me how I know! Had to fix OP damage ! Still looking for bow railing! If owner doesn't want his please , please PM me.

[make]

Originally Posted by osirissail

Is the boat docked "stern-to" where the bow sticks out into the waterway between the piers?

If so, then maybe somebody who was turning around, accidentally ran his bow anchor up onto the boat and as the other boat backed down the anchor ripped some of the fiberglass outward.

Since the fiberglass seems to be pulled out from the boat and there appears to be a forestay chain plate strap running down the bow, I would suggest something ripped or pushed/pulled the deck edge causing the tear.

It is the end slip, the large powerboat protects it from the other direction. It is possible that it was hit I just don't see what would do that except maybe the steel work boat in the marina. The is no apparent crunch damage on the bow. If something hit it it was clean onto to the bowsprit.

[Ex-Calif]

We get a lot of surge in our marina. Could be the chock pulled out. Several boats here have had that happen. I am still working on adequate snubbing for my boat.

[senormechanico]

If you click view image and then expand it a bunch, you can see the stem fitting side flanges for anchor rollers are also slightly bent towards the middle.
I'd also bet the bow got smacked by something very substantial.

[Celestialsailor]

I'd say it hit a cement piling. Not that I would know what that's like...

[make]

Originally Posted by Celestialsailor

I'd say it hit a cement piling. Not that I would know what that's like...

No cement pilings in the marina only wood, there is a concrete wall but to hit that the rail should be mangled. Whatever did it hit the bow roller directly and upwards.

[barnakiel]

Running a boat into a dock may be the least desirable way to stop her. But at times this is the only way. Pita the bow section was built this weak.

If the bow is this weak, what about the rest of the boat?

b.