Advice Needed: minor stress crack

[Clittle14]

Hi all,
I am new to the forum and interested in buying a '98 C dory 16' angler.
It has a stress crack where the top connects to the deck which is apparently only through the gel coat. Can anyone offer some insight/advice to a crack like this and what it could mean for future damage or repair costs?
Thanks!

 

[DavidM]

Rain water or snowmelt can seep into a crack like that and if stored outdoors in a cold climate it can freeze and expand the crack until it is more than gelcoat. That could allow water into the core and rot it. I forge,t do C-Dorys use balsa for coring?

Anyway if it is fairly new then it can be easily ground back to solid gel coat, filled and sealed. You can use Marine Tex or a gelcoat patch kit where you mix colors to match.

David

 

[thataway]

Without seeing a photo, or the crack in person--no one can tell you if it is serious or just a cosmetic issue. Many "Stress" cracks, are in right angle turns, where the gel coat is thick--occasionally there is an air void, etc.

It is extremely rare for a "stress crack" alone to cause delimitation or serious damage. But again--we have to see it to know.

Send me an e-mail photo, and I can either post it or give an opinion.

Yes, most C Dory core are balsa--there are many reasons for balsa over some other composite. But the balsa core must be protected. Done right it is an excellent material.

I would avoid using Marine Tex especially in an area which is gel coated--and cosmetically a possible issue. A small area repair is not expensive or difficult.