C&C "smile"

[AirborneSF]

Has anyone ever heard the term C&C smile referring to cracks along both sides of the keel? Was told it's nothing 'new', and to just fill the cracks and recoat with fiberglass. Sound like a plan to anyone? Thanks for your replays.

[LandLocked66c]

Never heard of it, but have heard of the Catalina Smile.

After some googling:

http://users.wowway.com/~surprise/Pr...mileRepair.htm

And more:

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-m...c-c-smile.html

http://www.cncphotoalbum.com/doityou...mile/index.htm

The crack that you see between the keel and the hull is known as the 'C&C smile' and is found on most C&C's of this vintage. It is the result of flexing between the two materials (lead and fibreglass) and will usually reappear within a year of being repaired/filled/faired with epoxy, etc. It's not a problem normally, but sometimes that smile can be the legacy of a hard grounding. An obvious sign is a large ding in the keel; the hidden 'don't-walk-away – run!' is damage to the floors at the aft end of the keel.

[AirborneSF]

Thanks, that's what it's about. This isn't my boat but one given to a friend and he asked me about it. I hope it turns out to be nothing more than flex, for his sake, as he really likes the boat. It.s a 27ft C&C. Again, "THANKS" for the info. dave.

[LandLocked66c]

Sounds like most just tighten the keel bolts and patch the area. There weren't too many horror stories besides the one noted above.

[jackdale]

In the 80's, some reported that hardening the backstay too much could also result in a smile.

[AirborneSF]

Lets hope that is the deal. It sounds like it to me.

[Peas]

jackdale and landlocked66c are correct. On the C&C's an overzealous trimmer putting on too much back stay will put upward pressure on the bow and the stern, while the mast puts downward pressure on the keel causing the boat to flex. This causes the keel joint to flex along with it, separating the hull from the keel at the joint, causing the C&C smile. The iron keel isn't going to flex...

Try using west system g-flex with 10% cabosil and micro balloons - mix it to a thick peanut butter like consistency. That will give your repair a little bit of flexibility then next time you crank down the back stay beating to windward... That might last a while, but don't be surprised if you're fixing this each year at haulout.

[Ocarina II]

The c&c smile is not the seam between keel and hull,but an athwartship (across the boat) surface crack some times several feet long running upwards(towards the topsides) just ahead of the keel. It is repairable, and as 'peas' suggested, West system G-flex has produced the best results.

[msmith10]

Originally Posted by Ocarina II

The c&c smile is not the seam between keel and hull,but an athwartship (across the boat) surface crack some times several feet long running upwards(towards the topsides) just ahead of the keel. It is repairable, and as 'peas' suggested, West system G-flex has produced the best results.

This is the first time I have heard of this explanation. I have always seen the smile referring to separation of the keel and hull, most prominent forward and becoming narrower as you go aft. As noted above, torquing keel bolts to proper setting before filling and fairing will fix this. Torque settings depend on diameter of keel bolts which depends on boat and are available at C&C Photo Album website. For my boat, C&C30 with 1" keelbolts, this was 350 foot pounds. Clean out the crack between keel and hull, torque bolts, then fill. I did this several years ago and smile never reappeared. Just filling without torquing can be done, but you'll be doing it every year.

[AirborneSF]

Thanks to all for your replys. I passed your input on to my buddy, and he feel better. When I get around to pulling mine next year, I'm going to check mine for sure. Again, "THANKS"!