Very small surface crack in comptip

I noticed a 1/2" crack just above where the comptip joins the bottom mast section. Looks like just a shallow surface crack. I was going to put some cheap "marine" epoxy in it - not sure that will do much but I assume it does no harm and the crack is not a big deal. Let me know if that's not the best thing to do.

Sounds like wishful thinking. The part of the comptip right where it inserts into the aluminum section sees the highest load. I would make sure it's not a structural crack because if it is, just slapping a little epoxy on it isn't going to do anything.

I'd rig the boat up, crank the main sheet in real hard, and put the boat on it's side and take a look. See if the crack spreads open or looks worse. If the crack is deeper than just a few thousandths or you can see broken glass fibers, I would not consider it to be non-structural.

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Yes, some wishful thinking I suppose. I'd read that there is gelcoat there and I thought (hoped) that was all that was cracked. I doubt I've sailed it much more than 20 hours since new but it does get trailered with the mast assembled. I will take a closer look. It's a Wave BTW.

Chips and small cracks happen at the joint due to movement while sailing. Very little chance that it is more than cosmetic.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Grind out the bad, fill it with thickened epoxy and then paint. Repeat as needed. Water will penetrate into the comptip sooner or later, when it freezes...pop.