[C38] Cracks by Stem Fitting

[Ray Torok]

I tend to agree.  I don't think it can fail catastrophically, because of
the strap running down the stem, but it seems like the last few inches of
the bow might continue to get crunched.  Do you know if the newer boats
have some structural support up there other than the fiberglass they
glopped on the inside when the deck was put on?


On Fri, Sep 6, 2013 at 9:28 AM, Steve Smolinske <
SSmolinske at rainierrubber.com> wrote:

> I would say no, I can’t imagine anything on a boat that would not ever get
> any worse****
>
> ** **
>
> *From:* listserve-bounces at catalina38.org [mailto:
> listserve-bounces at catalina38.org] *On Behalf Of *Ray Torok
> *Sent:* Friday, September 06, 2013 9:22 AM
> *To:* Catalina 38 Listserve
> *Subject:* Re: [C38] Cracks by Stem Fitting****
>
> ** **
>
> Hi Steve,****
>
> ** **
>
> I have a backstay tensioner, but it's only on when we're sailing.  When
> the boat's at the dock, the backstay is left on just enough to keep the
> headstay from flopping around.****
>
> ** **
>
> Latest theory is that when I replaced the two bolts that anchor the stem
> fitting to the deck (a few weeks ago), there was enough slop in the bolt
> holes that when the headstay was tensioned, the fiberglass in the deck was
> loaded in compression until the stem fitting moved back just a little to
> where the two bolts and the stainless stem fitting picked up the load
> again. If that's what happened, the cracking in the fiberglass shouldn't
> get any worse.  Does that sound believable?****
>
> ** **
>
> Thanks,****
>
> ** **
>
> Ray****
>
> ** **
>
> On Thu, Sep 5, 2013 at 10:48 PM, Steve Smolinske <
> SSmolinske at rainierrubber.com> wrote:****
>
> Ray,****
>
>  ****
>
> Do you have a backstay tensioner that is left on?****
>
>  ****
>
> *From:* listserve-bounces at catalina38.org [mailto:
> listserve-bounces at catalina38.org] *On Behalf Of *Ray Torok
> *Sent:* Thursday, September 05, 2013 5:56 PM
> *To:* Catalina 38 Listserve
> *Subject:* [C38] Cracks by Stem Fitting****
>
>  ****
>
> 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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>
> ** **
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