[C320-list] Gel-coat crack in Hull

[Jamie Pett]

Dave -

I was told by a sales rep. for Tidewater (Catalina dealer) at last
year's Annapolis show that one of the changes on the new Mark II models
in '07 was the location of the hull / deck joint in the transom / swim
platform area.  They did not suggest there have been problems, but did
say that the older hulls had the joint essentially tracing below the
swim platform and that could be a concern in the event of a backing
collision - say into a piling on entering a slip for example.  As I
understood it, the Mark II now has a slightly different mold
configuration, and moved the joint up.  

I have not spoken directly to Catalina, or examined drawings to know if
this is true, but if what you see is not just minor gel coat crazing,
and is really a 'crack',  I would certainly attend to it.


Jamie Pett
'Bella Luna' #614
Pasadena, MD

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Monte B.
Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2008 10:09 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Gel-coat crack in Hull

Dave 

I would send a digital picture to Kent Nelson at Catalina and inquire
about
the issue. He is responsive and knows these hulls. 

Monte
Laima #620

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of
sail0983 at aol.com
Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2008 8:51 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Gel-coat crack in Hull

I have a 2004 320 #983 and have just discovered a crack in the Gel-Coat
on
the Starboard Side close to where, I would assume, the Hull-Transom
joint is
positioned. The crack is about 4 - 5 inches long and starts in the Lower
-
Strip and extends downward. The crack is about 1/8" to 1/4" in from the
actual corner of the transom.

Has anyone else experienced this type of crack, should I consider it a
serious problem?

Dave Marchant
Illumination #983
Solomons, MD