Hairline Crack Near Hinges

[Maxpower]

I have had my boat (218 Sailfish) about five years. Cleaning up from the winter I noticed a hairline crack from each hinge of one of the fish boxes. The crack looks like a pencil mark on each area. Looking for feed back on cause or a way to fix if possible.

[aldo]

I have had my boat (218 Sailfish) about five years. Cleaning up from the winter I noticed a hairline crack from each hinge of one of the fish boxes. The crack looks like a pencil mark on each area. Looking for feed back on cause or a way to fix if possible.

Pictures?

[cook]

I have had my boat (218 Sailfish) about five years. Cleaning up from the winter I noticed a hairline crack from each hinge of one of the fish boxes. The crack looks like a pencil mark on each area. Looking for feed back on cause or a way to fix if possible.

Actually, you aren't bad off at all if those are the only stress cracks you have in five years.

Not seeing them, they could be emanating from hinge srews if the holes weren't fared out before the screws were inserted. If the boxes are in the floor, just stepping on them over time will cause some flexing and cracking.

You could dremel them out some and repair with gelcoat paste but they may reappear if there is an underlying source of stress which is not resolved.

A few gelcoat manufacturers like Spectrum Colors can sell you gelcoat paste matched to your boat colors to make the repair. The color may be a little off because of fading over time but won't be bad.

[Maxpower]

Thanks for the feed back. Mr T, you are correct about emanating from the screw holes I will try to attach a picture.

[DJWILLIAMS]

I have read in the past that this is caused by not countersinking, or predrilling the holes... If i remember correctly when you install a new hole you should reverse the bit and drill for a second or so, or counter sink the hole. I am not an expert, but this is just coming from memory.

Also to keep the crack from spreading you will have to drill a small hole at the end of the crack, and patch it to keep it from spreading.

If I am wrong, some one will correct me.

David

[welder]

It's called chamfering , it can be done by using a larger drill bit to knock the 90* corner off of the drilled hole .