Cracked comp tip H18, repair? *pic*
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Posted: Oct 27, 2010 - 07:34 PM
The crack is about midway. I'm not sure how the comptip is constructed but I assume it's normal fiberglass and this crack may only be a stress crack in the gelcoat. Im going to grind the crack out and then I'm not sure wether to add a fiberglass patch or just fill void with formula 27 and then gelcoat? Anyone ever repair a comp tip?
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Posted: Oct 28, 2010 - 09:55 AM
I repaired one before on a Hobie 17, though it was damaged vertically. The previous owner had towed the boat long distance lashed to the back beam which rubbed the comptip through several layers of glass. The repair was fairly easy - just two layers of polyester woven cloth, sanded smooth, and then I repainted the whole tip. -
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Posted: Oct 28, 2010 - 07:28 PM
The comptip is constructed out of fiberglass with epoxy resin. There is no gelcoat. It should be repaired using the same materials - epoxy resin and fiberglass, not polyester resin. Be sure to prep the surface really well.
That crack looks pretty minor, but it's hard to tell from a photo. If the crack goes deep into the fiberglass, it may not be repairable. Horizontal cracks on the leading edge of the mast are not good as that area is highly loaded in tension when the mainsheet and downhaul are pulled tight. Any layers of glass that are cracked need to be repaired with fiberglass cloth, not just putty. Putty adds virtually zero strength and will just crack.
dogboy -
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Posted: Oct 29, 2010 - 12:29 PM
Thanks dogboy. I wasn't sure what the mast's construction was, it didn't seem smooth like gelcoat...
