Crack in mahogany

[Gordonmc]

As long as I have had my Hillyard I have been concious of a crack, about a foot in length in the cockpit coaming. It has not widened or lengthened, but I am concerned because it has clearly been caused by stress from the sheet winch.
The crack runs through two of the screws which secure the oak block on which the winch sits. Replacement of the wood isn't an option as it's a solid piece of mahogany which runs the entire length of the cockpit and cabin. The crack is on one side only.
Should I leave things be or attempt a repair?
My thoughts are to drill a hole at either end of the crack and glue in a dowel to stop the crack spreading. Remove the two screws and ream out the length of the crack. Then glue in a dutchman.
The strength of the glue would be critical. Would epoxy be best, or is there a better alternative?
Any thoughts/advice would be welcome. This is not a job to be rushed and I want to know I have considered all options.


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[hillyarder]

Does the crack go all the way through. if not can you not scarf in a piece of mahogany after routing out the crack. my mast was glued with resorcinol.

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[Peterduck]

Your proposed method sounds good to me, and it's waht I would do if I had that problem. Epoxy is easy to use, and much more tolerant of inexpert fits than resorcinol. Resorcinol requires perfect, and I mean perfect, fits between pieces, and also as much pressure as can be brought to bear on the joint while the glue is curing. You can't have too much pressure. If you're in Britain, and this is February, also look into temperature requirements for whichever glue you use. O)ne other thought which crossed my mind; do you really need winches? I don't have any on my old gaff ketch, and I don't miss them. I pull the jibsheet in as hard as I can and let it go at that. I'm not racing, only cruising, and seconds don't count.
Peter.

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[jasqld]

Epoxy sounds like the answer.
Do you need the dowels at each end of the crack?
Can you guarantee that they will expand at the same rate as the existing timber? If not the crack may start again.

A good book on epoxy goes so far as to suggest fittings, including keel bolts with their high stresses, be fitted through epoxy with filler. The hole size for the filler is double the diameter of the fixing bolt thus spreading the loads to a greater area of timber.

Good luck
John


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[Captain Coochie]

It sounds to me like its a defect (shake) in the timber if it doesnt go all the way through,if this is the case gorrilla glue will be a simple way of fixing it as it expands and dries a dark colour.
If not an unsightly but easy repair would be to span the crack with another timber next to it and bolt it on,bolt in the center of the timber rather than top and bottom to keep more structure to the timber,or you could pay me to replace the lot :O)
How wide/deep is the crack ?


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