cp23 sliding hatch crack repair ....how about a weatherboard cover

[hockeyfool]

   I have done epoxy repairs on the sliding hatch at the forward end , which after numerous mast raise/lower events has had persons standing on it- caused a bend and crack . I have tried to repair from inside and outside
      but still see a new crack over last layer of epoxy , maybe  I laid too  much on at once, not sure.
         Does anyone have a teak or other wood weatherboard fastened to this area ? That would seem to maybe solve this .

[BruceW]

I've got this issue, repaired by a PO, and it wasn't successful. My problem is at the aft end also.

I was thinking of taking it off, putting glass on the inside to strengthen it.

Haven't got around to that yet.

[MacGyver]

in my opinion having seen this same issue on a lot of boats, the only repair is to first off make the crack very thin, then rebuild it out ot capture the crack and then spread the load by building the glass back up properly using the weave direction of the new glass to tell you of its distribution delivery.
you also need to be sure to not capture any paint or gelcoat between the layers, which most folks will not do, as they are trying to fix something fast, which makes for poor repair.

I dont think many hatches were ever really built heavy enough.......

Mac

[Tom L.]

The required repair is not easy but it's not impossible either. It will almost certainly require the removal of the hatch and bonding in multiple layers of glass and epoxy resin. The best authority and instruction on how to do this repair is Gougeon Brothers. Check this web site it is loaded with information, details including the proper material to use for all sorts of repairs to fiberglass boats.

http://www.gougeon.com/