Excellent point, Jerry, thank you! I forgot to mention that, until two years ago, the boat was on an EZ Loader trailer with rollers, and I think this caused the problem. I didn't think rollers were appropriate for the boat, so I bought a new Karavan bunk-type trailer and adjusted it much as you advise, with three bunk supports. Most of the boat's weight rests on the keel, with just enough (I think) on the hull itself. Do you think an epoxy/fiberglass patch inside would suffice for the cracks? Gordon On Jul 28, 2009, at 7:49 PM, jerry wrote:
Why don't you get the trailer adjusted to the boat first? In old age, the bunks sometimes get a set an d sag in the middle (I've been there!) YOu might wanmt to get some good lumber and make some new ones. Then fix the boat!
jerry ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gordon Gilbert" <gordon@financialwriting.net> To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 3:25 PM Subject: M_Boats: Cracks inside M-17 hull
I've noticed some cracking on the inside hull of my '83 M-17, and I'm wondering if anyone else has dealt with this situation. There's a single crack, parallel to the lapstrakes, under both quarterberths just under the access hatches -- at about where the boat sits on the trailer bunks. The cracks are about 12 - 15 inches long; one is about 1/32" thick and the other is about 1/16" thick when the boat rests on the trailer. Both cracks appear to close to hairline width when the boat is in the water (which suggests that the hull flexes inward slightly when on the bunks, opening the cracks a bit). I've noticed no water leakage, and there's no evidence of the cracking on the hull exterior. I keep the boat on its trailer and not in the water.
The size of the larger crack is prompting me to do something. Should I grind the inner surfaces a bit and epoxy fiberglass "bandages" over the problem areas? Would it be best to do the work when the boat's in the water and the cracks are tightened up? Is there another approach I should consider? Are these cracks just superficial and I should forget about them? Any suggestions/comments are welcome!
Gordon M-17 "Sapphire" Milwaukee
P.S. Bones and I enjoyed a wonderful cruise to Isle Royale last week. Great weather, fun sailing, beautiful scenery and good companionship. I'll be posting photos soon, as will Bones I expect.
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