This is my first Chrysler 22 and it needs a lot of work to get it water ready. The first thing I want to address are the cracks around the mast step....
They do not look too bad, but I don't want water to keep leaking through these cracks and cause problems. I removed the metal tabernacle to see what it looked like below and it looked pretty darn good. Just a couple small cracks but nothing serious. The screw holes were pretty stripped though so i am going to need to fix that as well.
I am not too familiar with fiberglass work, but I have always been a fast learner and very good with my hands. If you guys have some tips for me as to how to go about this repair it would be greatly appreciated.
I think a little west system epoxy would go a long way on that. It is available at most marine stores. There are some good videos available on your tube giving a good idea of how it works.
Those look like simple stress cracks in the gel coat only. Nothing too bad. My C22 had the same when I got her. Mostly cosmetic. The deck is over an inch thick there. Pickup a gelcoat repair kit. Work it in, sand and paint.
If you removed the mast step consider installing a hinged mast step. It's an easy install, not very expensive and makes raising the mast a whole lot easier.
Thank you all very much!
It is reassuring to hear that it looks like nothing serious. I was going to repaint the boat sometime, so i guess it might as well be sooner than later.
I was thinking about using a hinged step, but all of this is overwhelming at first and I do not know what brand/dealer has a good reputation in the sailing world.
I made a thread on here when I installed mine. I did a google search for the part number someone else used, then ordered it. I think the hinge was about $60. It makes it SO much easier to raise it single handed. I wouldn't worry about the stress cracks, unless you are trying to make a showboat. As long as water isn't getting into the core you shouldn't have any problems.
N41EF wrote:I made a thread on here when I installed mine. I did a google search for the part number someone else used, then ordered it. I think the hinge was about $60. It makes it SO much easier to raise it single handed. I wouldn't worry about the stress cracks, unless you are trying to make a showboat. As long as water isn't getting into the core you shouldn't have any problems.
Sail more, worry less....
I know it is't that much money ($30) but could I get away with the cheaper of the two hinges? I have a lot of work to do on the boat and $30 will help.
As for the cracks... How would I know for sure if water is coming in through them? There was a lot of water inside the boat when we bought it so we are going to have to figure out where it is leaking from. We were thinking about spraying a hose up in the air and sitting inside to see where it leaks from.
