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Old March 20th, 2007, 10:49 PM posted to rec.outdoors.fishing.bass
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
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Default Spider cracks in the gelcoat by the engine mount on my hunter 25' sailboat


wrote in message
ups.com...
I was wondering if anyone can help me to either fix my problem, or
tell me I have nothing to worry about? I have a Hunter 25' sailboat...
1982. I just bought a brand new Mercury 9.9 4 stroke, which weighs in
at 92lbs. My old two stoke was only 76lbs. That prompted me to
construct a new motor mount block, which came out beautiful by the
way. However, I noticed a few spider stress cracks where the
stainless meets the hull. Nothing major, probably about 3 spider
cracks on eiter side of the mount. Should I be worried!?!?! I looked
in the interior part of the hull and there was no stainlesssteel
backing plate for the mount. Should I put one in, or forget about
it. Half of me wants a perfect boat, the other half says, hey...if it
cracks off in the middle of a race, I'm insured! Any feedback?


I would put a backing plate on and not worry about it, but keep an eye on
the cracks. Fine spider cracking in the gel coat is normal on any
fiberglass boat, you just want to make sure they don't go any further.

If they do begin traveling again, use a dremel tool and a fine bit, drilling
a hole at the end of each crack. Doing this will keep the cracks from
continuing on.
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Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com