Structural Damage?

[Cat 2016]

Hi! I am looking at a 2011 Leopard catamaran to purchase.
There are cracks in both salon vertical windows,
in the same place & approx. the same size cracks-
approx 3 inches long;
about 1/3 of the distance from the outside edge
of the windows, on the bottom.
The Broker, surveyor & marina manager all say
they don't know what caused the cracks.
They are willing to replace the windows,
but I am wondering if there may be some structural damage
that caused the cracks.
Any info, or knowledge you can shed on this subject
is greatly appreciated! Thank you.

[Stumble]

I don't know, but doubt that it's a structural problem. My guess is some sort of thermal expansion problem.

The only way I could envision that damage caused by a structural problem would be if the boat was wracking badly enough to put preassure on the windows. To do this would require a fundamental breakdown in the entire structural elements in the boat. In this case I would expect to see massive evidence of problems. Hulls not lining up, a mast that is cocked in the partners, massive delamination of the deck, seperations at the hull to deck joint. In other words it would be a known salvage title with pretty obvious issues.

[Southern Star]

I'm not sure you would expect to see that many signs of structural damage if it was caused by wracking/flex, but I suspect you would see at least a few other signs of stress cracks in the surrounding structure. Have you looked at any other boats of the same make and model?

Brad

[Cat 2016]

Ok, thanks for your input.
What you are saying makes sense-
there should be other signs of structural damage.
We have looked at other boats
of this make & model.
No one seems to have a direct answer for the cause.
Thanks again!

[barnakiel]

Yep. If structural - look closely at adjacent area of laminate. Otherwise suspect acrylic damage from heat / bending / etc.

b.

[Redreuben]

Just to clarify, are we talking actual glass or plastic windows ?