Beneteau stress cracking

[Kochi]

I have stress cracking around the main sheet fixing on the cockpit sole of my Beneteau 21.7. Opinions vary on how serious this is. One specialists says the fixing needs re-inforcing underneath another says this is nonsense otherwise Beneteau would have done this. Has anybody else experience of this?

 

[dehlerdave]

A couple of thoughts.
Boat builders don't always get it right.
If you have stress cracking then either you need to reef earlier and so reduce the stress or reinforce the fitting to take the stress you subject it too. The firsts are at the lighter end of the construction spectrum so I would reinforce the fitting.

 

[oldsaltoz]

Stress cracking is due to movement in the lay up under the gelcoat. To prevent it the structure needs to reinforced to reduce the flexing.

Also check that the backing plate has been properly bedded, look for a layer of reinforced resin between the backing plate and the underside of the cockpit.

Also check the backing plate has well rounded corners including the upper edge of the plate. If find only ply has been glassed in, remove it, reinforce the base with at least 6 layers of 250 gram cloth starting about 300 mm across and reducing the size by 30 mm as each layer is placed.

Then re drill the fitting holes and get a stainless steel plate at least 20 mm across with all 4 corners well rounded as well as the top and lower edges.

Dry fitthe plate to ensure it all fits, then a mix of resin and micro fibers to the upper side of the plate and finger tighten the nuts so the plate has a 3 to 5 mm gap between the top of the plate and the underside of the deck. Let this cure for at least 24 hours and nip the nuts up tight.

Hope this helps.

Avagoodweekend......

 

[davidwf]

I had a Ben 21.7 and now a 25.7. I did get hairline cracks on the 21.7 but mostly around fittings that I think were overtightened. I suspect that might will be whats happened on your 21.7. If its still under warranty the dealer can make good but I wouldn't worry about it unless it lookes bad.

 

[wotayottie]

Designers dont always get designs right and even when they do so, builders dont always build correctly to the design. You should not have stress cracking period. If you dont want to take the issue up with Bendytoy, then re-inforce under the fitting and repair the gel cracks.

 

[Kochi]

Thank-you all very much for your advice.
davidwf - good to hear from a fellow Beneteau owner - how do you rate the 25.7 next to the 21.7? Do you launch and recover and if so how easy/difficult is it?