crack repair

**irwinsailor** · 10-10-2004, 18:06

I started grinding out some cracks where my cabin tom meets the deck. I am wondering how deep should I grind them out so that they do not return? I have ground out about 1/4 inch in depth and about 1 inch across.

delmarrey · 11-10-2004, 23:11

Do ya have a picture?

jim lee · 12-10-2004, 11:15

Mr Irwinsailor..

Have you checked -inside- the cabin to see if there were matching cracks? 'Cause, well you know, if there are you have more of a structrual problem than just fixin' up gelcoat.

One of my jobs on a raceboat crew (Past life) was to crawl under the hull and inspect for gelcoat cracks. If I found one, I was to go inside and check for matching cracks in the bottom of the hull. If I found -any- that matched up I was to pull the plug on the race and send them all home.

-jim lee

**Pblais** · 12-10-2004, 18:58

I just can't see how a crack more than 1/4 inch deep would be anything other than something you can't patch unless it is a flaw in the layup finally aging to the point of being a problem.

Any real problem won't be fixed and will come back. If it is just a cosmetic problem I should think you could fix it with FAR less removal.

10-10-2004, 18:06	#1
irwinsailor Moderator Site Helper Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Macatawa Michigan Boat: Amanda Faye 61' Custom Irwin aftcockpit ketch Posts: 1,330 Images: 106	crack repair I started grinding out some cracks where my cabin tom meets the deck. I am wondering how deep should I grind them out so that they do not return? I have ground out about 1/4 inch in depth and about 1 inch across.

11-10-2004, 23:11	#2
delmarrey Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Puget Sound, WA Boat: Choate 40 Posts: 3,431 Images: 115	Need more info! Do ya have a picture?

12-10-2004, 11:15	#3
jim lee Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Anacortes, WA Boat: J/35 - No Tomorrows Posts: 179 Images: 3	Mr Irwinsailor.. Have you checked -inside- the cabin to see if there were matching cracks? 'Cause, well you know, if there are you have more of a structrual problem than just fixin' up gelcoat. One of my jobs on a raceboat crew (Past life) was to crawl under the hull and inspect for gelcoat cracks. If I found one, I was to go inside and check for matching cracks in the bottom of the hull. If I found -any- that matched up I was to pull the plug on the race and send them all home. -jim lee __________________ J/35 No Tomorrows Left Coast - Building a boat company from scratch. Last edited by jim lee; 12-10-2004 at 11:22.

12-10-2004, 18:58	#4
Pblais Moderator Site Helper Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hayes, VA Boat: Gozzard 36 - Bright Eyes Posts: 4,520 Images: 7	I just can't see how a crack more than 1/4 inch deep would be anything other than something you can't patch unless it is a flaw in the layup finally aging to the point of being a problem. Any real problem won't be fixed and will come back. If it is just a cosmetic problem I should think you could fix it with FAR less removal. __________________ Paul Blais s/v Bright Eyes Gozzard 36 37 15.7 N 76 28.9 W

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