Gelcoat cracking near mast on Typhoon??

[Steve Worden]

I recently bought a typhoon this summer Hull # 205. 1971 vintage.
I'm getting gelcoat cracking around the mast step. Cracks that
seem to be propagating. Under the mast mount on the inside there
is no evidence of cracking. Only on top of cabin.
The cracks are fore and aft. The previous owner installed a wooden
block under the mast fitting. (about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick)
(To spread the load out a bit from where the mast fitting sat)
(He said there was some cracking there)
The mast mount is also mounted crooked a bit. I asked the previous
owner about that and he said it was like that when he got the boat
and did not want to move the bold pattern.
I do not overtighten the stays. I do not have a post under the mast
bolts. The cabin has two big elbows on each side and a large piece
of something in fiberglass running between elbows.


1) Is this serious
2) What can I do to fix the problem before the cracking gets worse.
3) How do I repair the crazing(cracking).


Thanks for your replies or pointing me to past solutions to this.
Steve (I'm in Connecticut)



sbworden@snet.net

[sloopjohnl]

</LI>

steve,
sounds like you need that post in the cabin under the mast step. might as well redo the mast step on the cabin top while you are at it. remove the wood, fill the old holes and cracks with epoxy (west
system e.g.), rebolt the mast step and then watch the tension on those stays - not too tight, not too loose!