[C38] Cracks by Stem Fitting

[Ray Torok]

Esteemed C38 Gurus:

Hoping you can help advise on my latest old boat issue.

I have some cracks showing up (and growing) on the outside of the hull in
the few inches between the ends of the toe rails and the headstay stem
fitting.  The cracks are horizontal and about 3 inches long. On one side
the crack is about 1 inch below the deck.  On the other it is right at the
edge of the deck.

It appears that the headstay load is pulling the bow upward, and the last
few inches of the bow doesn't have the toe rail and bolted hull-to-deck
joint of the rest of the boat, so it's bending a bit and the fiberglass is
cracking. On the inside, the heavy stainless backing plate for the strap
running down the stem also stops several inches short of the bow, and that
may be a contributing factor.

I'm wondering if this is a problem with the early boats (mine is hull #37)
that they fixed at some point. Any thoughts on known or proposed fixes
would be appreciated.

Thanks much,

Ray Torok
THIRA
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