Cracks at Port side chain plate.

moonie · Post by **moonie** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 11:30 am

After a weekends great sailing,I was dumbstruck to find a crack running downwards about 2 inches long below the port side chain plate.(through the glass) On further inspection,found the crack is just visible on the inside of the boat as well. Cut back the carpet to check. I have not hit anthing and nothing has hit the boat as I keep it on a finger berth in the marina with the port side along the pontoon. I have contacted the agents and waiting for a reply. I will post some photos when I get to the boat again. Anybody else have a similiar problem out there.

They Theirs · Post by **They Theirs** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 11:37 am

We like hearing of such problem alerts. Could you document the boat year, age, and # number here, so we all can check for a possible production error or related issue.

Frank C · Post by **Frank C** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 12:30 pm

Moonie - sorry to hear of your problem

especially because of your distance from the factory. Ever since hearing about the chainplate design on the 26M, I've been somewhat doubtful about them.

Their welded deck covers (where they exit the deck surface) dictate a very precise drilling and mounting procedure. Then too, that precision belies future years' gradual settlement or bending - any minor migration of the deck vs. hull. Other M owners have reported stress cracks and/or leaks at this deck exit. A careful search of archives will reveal a couple of earlier threads on this topic.

Bet you'll see one of those undocumented "running changes" in the boat design once they study this issue a bit. Meanwhile, Roger's record of post-sale customer support is pretty good. I suspect the dealer will quickly take care of your issue ... fortunately, FRP is a very "forgiving" material.

baldbaby2000 · Post by **baldbaby2000** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 2:45 pm

Is it possible your rigging is too tight?

Post by **kmclemore** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 3:49 pm

They Theirs wrote:We like hearing of such problem alerts. Could you document the boat year, age, and # number here, so we all can check for a possible production error or related issue.

Hmm... as for me, I'm not sure I "like hearing of such problem alerts", particularly potentially systemic structural ones such as this.... I guess I'd rather say that "it's helpful to know about potential problems such as these"...

Catigale · Post by **Catigale** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 3:58 pm

LEts not all panic....Mac has been shipping the M mold for 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006...so it is a fair assumption to say the design is sound.

Obviously the chain plate is an area where if resin is bad, a bad layup, etc is made then the defect will show up in glorious form.

Catigale · Post by **Catigale** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 6:12 pm

Moonie - any update or pictures??

mtc · Post by **mtc** » Sat Jul 22, 2006 3:56 am

Moonie,

I'd like to see images of the crack as well to compare with the issues I've corrected on Bellaroo's plates. The design is ok, if the workmanship was appropriately high. I've repaired cracks/leaks but mine were on the deck, not the hull where yours seems to be.

Michael

moonie · Post by **moonie** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 11:08 am

I have just sold my Mac.Unfortunately at a knock down price due to the problem. The bloke who bought the boat is a glass specialist and he will follow up on the cause and repairs on this site. Take care.
Moonie

Post by **kmclemore** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 11:12 am

Wow.. that was fast. We're sorry that you had to sell!

edurbin · Post by **edurbin** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 7:50 pm

Michael,
Was wondering where your deck crack occurred and what you did to repair it. I got one port side of the daggerboard - seems there is a little bit of flex in the deck just there.

Thanks.
Craig

MacGregorSailors.com

MacGregorSailors.com

Cracks at Port side chain plate.

Cracks at Port side chain plate.