Loose stanchion base, what repair?

[batkins61]

We're looking at buying a 2003 Beneteau 361 but it has a loose stanchion base. Around the base are semi-circular cracks in the gelcoat, and it definitely looks like the stanchion was struck or pushed inboard. The stanchion is located almost exactly on the beam on the port side.

Assuming that the stanchion was forced inboard enough to cause the gelcoat damage, what damage could be expected below the gelcoat? How are the stanchions mounted and bedded on these boats, and what kind of repair would be required?

Thanks!

[sawingknots]

generaly they are mounted with machine type bolts and held by nuts underneath,sometimes these are accessable from inside near the gunnel,sometimes not,sometimes the nuts are glassed in place so you can tighten or remove the screws/bolts from above,if possible use a backing plate underneath even large stainless flat washers will do,be sure to use a sealer beneath the stantion,the craze cracks can be sanded and patched with gelcoat or a product called marinetec

[batkins61]

I'm mostly worried about structural damage to the deck itself, or worse, the deck/hull joint. I didn't see any damage to the toerail there (pried up or bent), but I may have missed something. If the stanchion was pushed seriously inboard, could there be serious structural damage, or would it fail in a more benign (to the deck, anyway) way?

[sailingdog]

The fiberglass beneath the stanchion base is likely damaged to some degree. How severe the damage can't be known without sanding away the damaged gelcoat to see what the laminate looks like. The hull deck join may or may not have been damaged, depending on what kind of impact and how strong an impact caused the damage at the stanchion base.

[batkins61]

I just uploaded a photo I took showing the base and cracks: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15063119/IMAG0141.jpg

My main goal here is to avoid paying for a survey if this looks like a serious issue that isn't fully repairable for a reasonable cost.

Thanks!!

[sailingdog]

Those look more like stress cracks than impact damage... though there can be a lot of overlap between the two in the case of a stanchion base. Is there actual damage to the stanchion or signs of an impact to it? I doubt there is...and would guess that that is from someone pulling on the stanchion as they're exiting the boat or leaning on it as they're coming aboard. Is that by any chance one of the lifeline gate stanchions?

[merc2dogs]

I'd consider it a fairly simple repair, and would be afraid of the boat. Though judging from what looks like moss at the base, I'd not be surprised to find wet core.
Simple here depends entirely on your expertise, though.

My advice would be to inspect on your own, make a list of any repairs you see it needs, then dig through the site for write ups on doing the work. If you feel that you'd be comfortable in doing the repairs you see, or having them done, then look into a survey.

[sawingknots]

i think i would remove the stantion then remove the toerail and sand off the gelcoat where it is crazed,do a close inspection of the fiberglass underneath then reapply the gelcoat,i wouldn't worry about the texured nonskid near the base,don't forget to rebed the toerail screws and stantion base,i doubt the toerail has nuts underneath,or you could just rebed and retighten the stantion and watch for leaks inside

[sawingknots]

btw there is a technigue to restore the texured nonskid it involves using a special material that shapes the gelcoat before it hardens

[rmeador]

I wouldn't be surprised if that was due to the winter shrinkwrap pulling the stanchion inwards. I saw several boats with that kind of damage when I was looking at boats, and my current boat has had that happen to 2 stanchions this winter (people talked me out of putting cross braces this year, never again am I listening to them). The owner of one of the boats I looked at was actually fixing the problem while I was looking at the boat, it seems like a very easy repair. I'll be doing it myself in a month or so.