Hairline crack on mast plate

[cub21rak]

I hadn't been able to use my 22m last year and went to clean'er this year to get on the water and when I was cleaning I noticed some hairline cracks here and there but one I do wonder about is some I found near the mast plate. Today ill get pics and post. I'm wonder if that's a DO NOT SAIL warning? Is it something to be not overly concerned about? If its something major then is it repairable? Where would I got to have it repaired? Pricey?

Thanks for the help!!!

[Catigale]

Crack in metal or crack in fiberglass /gel coat?

Fix first, evaluate FG crack, ignore gel coat crack.

[cub21rak]

Crack in fiberglass I believe.

[Russ]

Photos might help.

It is common for cracks in the gelcoat (thin later on top of glass). Most boat have 'em in places. If it is deep into the fiberglass, that's another story.
Frankly, I would be surprised if it were into the glass. If you can post pics, folks might be able to give a better response.

--Russ

[cub21rak]

Thank you for the quick helpful responses.
Here's the pics
This is the front right corner

This is the back of the plate

[Freedom77]

I am overly fanatical about backing plate for all through deck fittings. Have done this with all three Ventures we have owned. When we got Freedom I removed the headliner and put an oversized backing plate under the mast step and fairleads. Also backed up life line stanchions, bow and stern pulpits, winches and cleats. This puts less stress on the deck and helps prevent cracks due to stress. I have seen stanchions and other deck fittings ripped out of decks. Also make sure there is no space between the deck and mast post which can cause the deck to "pump". What year is you V-22. We had '71 V-222 Hull # 441. Good Luck, Fair Winds and Full Sails....Old Salt.

[kmclemore]

IMHO* these cracks are simply surface gel cracks and are entirely normal on any older boat. Stop worrying and enjoy your boat!

If you're really freaked, do as Freedom noted and put a heavier backing plate on it... but there's no reason to dig that all out and make this into a major repair.

(*as a former fiberglass moulding and design engineer)

[Freedom77]

kmclemore is right. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. If you're worried about it then do sumthin. Fair Winds and Full Sails.. Old Salt

[grady]

I have a 94 s model and have looked like that for years. Apears to be gell coat cracks. If you keep you boat rigged you should detune the stays when you are not sailing. Keeps excessive pressure off the mast plate.

Keep an eye on it if you start to see any flexing in that area get it fixed.

[Mac26Mpaul]

Gelcoat crazing is very common (you should have seen my last boat around the compression post and mast - much worse than that!). Fibreglass flexes but gel coat does not, which gives you the little cracks. I don't see anything there I'd be worrying about, but if you are worried from an aesthetic point of view, you could mix up a tiny bit of flowcoat and rub it into those cracks.

[Ixneigh]

the decks on these boats are thin to save weight. Mine had those kind of cracks on some of the decks so before I re did the nonskid to a different texture, I added a bit of glass to them. not in your cracked area though. my boat has several areas where those types of cracks are present. The boats flex, as noted, they are made to be as light as possible. Part of the nature of the beast. I dont think it represents structural weakness. I have not had very good luck implementing a cosmetic fix, either. Paint will sometimes cover them up.
Ix

[cub21rak]

Thank you all!
I'm more comfortable about these cracks now.
Being by the mast plate I was more worried about the structure rather then look. Does anyone have examples of cracks in the fiberglass to show what to be concerned about when looking at cracks?

[seahouse]

Cub-

When the surface starts to well up significantly and is no longer level with the rest of the surface, it could be a sign of future trouble. Or if the cracks are spreading (like three times longer than they are in the picture!), you might want to think about investigating.

If it's peace of mind you are after, and to confirm it for yourself, mark the ends of the cracks with a pencil or something, and then check to see where they are a the end of the season. I would expect that the cracks have been about where they are now for a number of years, and are going nowhere fast!