1981 Nationals boat
Inboard of the hull, four inches from bottom, is a horizontal crack approximately eight to ten inches in length. Coincidentaly? It lines up pertfectly, fore and aft, on center with the forward pylon. If I push in, above or below it, I cannot feel much, if any flextion of the side.
Is something going on inside the hull that has caused this crack? The boat is disassembled and wiggling the pylon (inside to outside) I detect a slight movement (maybe 1/8"). This crack was covered in duct tape, which upon removal, revealed a feeble attempt at fixing with the wrong shade of gelcoat only. I was told the boat doesn't take on water (and there is absolutely no reason to not believe this), I was also told "Just don't sail it in heavy air", well around here that is the rule rather than the exception.
Another question. This boat has set for several years. Probably related to this crack a port has been installed between the pylons (in this hull only) and it is "frozen" closed. I've beat on it to the point of, if I get more serious at trying to free it I'll be replacing the whole port. Any tricks? Penetrating oil or otherwise?
