Stress Cracks

[jrn]

I am considering buying a 1990 flybridge cruiser. The hull had 2 extensive stress cracks which have been professionally repaired. What are stress cracks and why do they happen? Should I walk away? What effect will it have on the value of the boat? Any help and advice would be appreciated before I waste all my hard earned cash.

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[Freebee]

Did you have it surveyed, what did the survey say, if you did not get a survey I should get one its money well spent.

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[oldgit]

What boat?

Most older boats will have a external gel coat stress crack or ten around stantion bases and from berthing by feel type operations and the like.If it has not got any,it is either brand new or they have been filled prior to sale.Some older makes of boats were known to suffer from cracking in chines.Doubt anything has ever sunk because of it.Good place to get some info is <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.yachtsurvey.com>Survey</A>.Cracking good site for all things glassfibre.

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[hlb]

What make is it. Stress cracks are caused by bonking boat too hard over big waves, Else hull crappy and not fit for job. What boat??

<hr width=100% size=1> Flags Solly MFBR</font color=red>
Haydn

 

[tcm]

Well, all cracks are "stress" cracks, unless (unlikely) designed in. Cracks form as a result of stress.

But anyway, either the hull was too weak, and or the sea too big, or a combination.

Or, it could easily be that the "something" else happened - they hit something - hence the professional repair instead of letting it go - as one might after a car crash instead of a gradual effect like cars going a bit rusty here and there.

Calling them "stress" cracks makes them sound minor, like people being off work due to "stress" (which sounds a bit skivy) instead of a broken leg or heart attack frexample, both of which are also due to "stress" but more severe kinds thereof.

Walk away? Yep, i think so. This boat will be bottom of the shopping list when you want to sell, like cars which seem resprayed, houses near where everyone thyinks the motorway/airport will be built and any other victims of "blight". Or, it should be significantly cheaper than others. Or be such an old £5grand heap that the cracks in the hull are just another defect, it's cheap anyway.

all imho

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[hlb]

Yep. Suppose that phrase referse to your boat too Matt. Like when they blamed the engines in the sides whilst refitting them. Only another explanation of stress cracks of course. But of course, if it is profesionaly mended, then all ok.!!

<hr width=100% size=1> Flags Solly MFBR</font color=red>
Haydn

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Depends where the cracks are. Cracks between the hull and bulkheads are quite common but cracks in the hull itself sound more serious. Are the cracks right through to the grp or gelcoat cracks only?

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[Elza_Skip]

I recently bought a 21ft cruiser, 7 years old. The surveryor found some minor stress cracking in the gel coat tha I can bareley see. Anyway he thought it no big deal only recommended to get the area rubbed down and filled

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[Roy]

Watch out too for any crazing, as this can make you stressed, whereas, stress cracks will make you crazy! Roy

<hr width=100% size=1>What does this mean then?

 

[jrn]

Thanks for the help. according to the repair report one of the cracks was right through the hull. They have been professionally repaired.

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[jrn]

Thanks. The boat is a Storebro.

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[jrn]

I have not had it surveyed yet. The information was from the previous repair work. Not sure if it is worth a survey? Should I just walk away even though it has been professionally repaired?

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[Freebee]

storebro has a good name for quality build if its been cracked through I should take some steps big wuns.... walk away. plenty more boats to look at. why take the risk?

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[miket]

The Storebro is a well built boat and any crack going right through sounds major.

Walk away.

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[gjgm]

find out who professionally repaired it. there are some well respected GRP specialists, and if its by them, I m sure the boat is sound. Have a look at the invoice.. good repairs are damn expensive.. you could always ask another repair specialist to cast an eye over it.In fact, the repair is probably the soundest part of the boat now.Still leaves you the reduced value issue though.

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[jrn]

Thanks for that. The boat was professionally repaired at a large cost. What sort of reduction in value would this cause? Would it be 10% or more?

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