[C320-list] Gel-coat crack in Hull

[Rick Sulewski]

Hi Dave,

I noticed a stress crack in the gel coat running horizontally all across the
right angle where the flat portion of the forward portion of the swim
platform meets the vertical side of the transom.  

I assume that you are speaking of the corner of the transom where the curved
portion of the hull ties into the curved portion of the transom that rolls
down to the waterline. 

In that area I believe you described, I have not observed any cracks while
one can run their hand over that area and may detect a deflection in the gel
coat. 

I know that the lower portion of the curved hull to transom area near the
waterline is pretty beefy as I have run up on a concrete pier when the water
levels were extremely high in Lake Erie back in the late 90s. I did scrap
some gel coat when the transom floated up on the pier surface momentarily,
but did not have any downward crack develop.

I figure my gel coat crack on the forward portion of the swim platform where
it meets the vertical transom developed by way of me standing on the swim
platform after stepping from the swim ladder during the colder winter months
while the boat was in the cradle. I am assuming that the pressure and
reactive flex of the swim platform creating my gel coat crack.

Perhaps you could also forward a digital photo so other owners will know
what you are observing.

Rick
My-Ria hull # 277

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Jamie Pett
Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2008 10:48 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Gel-coat crack in Hull

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