Gelcoat Crack on Stern

[dicklatour]

<div>I own a 1982, M383, #45. When I purchased the boat in 1996 the
Surveyor noted a 4" vertical gelcoat crack on the centerline of
the stern. The crack now goes from just below the rubrail to
just above the small point, or furthest aft part of the stern.
I do not see any effects on the inside of the hull when looking
in the aft compartment.I believe that the crack may have started when the rigging was
relaxed after the mast was removed from the boat prior to the
survey. I do not believe that the mast had come out of the boat
since it was originally launched in 1982 and wonder if the
gelcoat is brittle because of its age and started cracking as
the normal backstay pressure was released. I know that the hull
was laid up as two pieces and would not like to think that this
is the result of a failure of the lay-up and bonding of these
two hull halves.Has anyone else had this problem? Any comments or suggestions?

</div>

 

[aurora2]

If it is a gelcoat crack, it is problably simply cosmetic. The 38 hulls were built in two section and then mated together. I would quess most 38's have gelcoat cracks on the stern and bow as well.

 

[jhudnut]

My 1980 382 has the same crack and has had it for about 6-8 years. I believe it is jelcoat only. I, too would like to know more. The Morgans seem plagued with jelcoat cracks here and on deck but they seem sound.

 

[cfnava]

I would try to get in touch with Pete Brown and ask his opinion. AS the former Customer Service Manager for Morgan Yachts in the eighties, he his probably the most knowledgeable person around.

 

[barefoot]

My M-383 has a similar crack -- goes from the teak caprail down about one-third of the way. Inside it's fine. The surveyor told me before I bought the boat that it's just cosmetic and not worry about it. Recently, a fiberglass repairman said the same but suggested filling the crack to keep out water that might freeze in winter and widen it.

 

[dhoneycutt]

I have the crack in the stern and bow as well just below the stem head fitting, had them repaired a number of years ago and they are back. I wouldn't worry about it as you stated these were buildt in halfs and these are excess gel coat cosmetic cracks. Happy Sailing

 

[corsaire]

I haven't noticed this stern area crack but I do have a gelcoat crack at the base of the starboard bulwark where it meets the deck. I have looked at several other M38s and have never seen this crack on those boats. It's only on one side and runs from abeam the forward hatch to just behind the midship cleats. I plan to have it repaired this year so as to prevent the moisture/freezing problem. Has anyone else had this issue with cracks in this area?

 

[capnrichard]

My 83' M384 hull #9 had the stern crack. I ground it out and re-gelcoated. Other then some dry parts of mat I didn't find that it really went into the fiberglass which is over an inch thick. I also have a crack below the stem on the bow. I may try just a simple dremel and patch there.