Crack in bulkhead

Sonic30ss · 02-24-2004, 12:16 PM

I have a horizontal crack running across the port side of the bulkhead, between the cockpit and the cabin on my, Sonic 30SS. The guy I had repair the small crack(which is many many times worse now) last winter wants to cut out the floors and remove the gas tanks.
I'm thinkin' about getting a second opinion, can anyone recommend anyone with performance boat experience in the Northeast??
Thanks

blown formula · 02-24-2004, 12:51 PM

My Sonic 30SS has a removable floor to access the tanks..... however, I don't see how a bulkhead crack is related to removing the fuel tanks??? Can he explain his reasoning??? Maybe a broken stringer causing hull stress transferred to the forward bulkhead?? Sounds like a stretch to me..... I would call SonicUSA & ask them about this. They still have the molds & know where stresses are..... trust the hull builder...... pulling fuel tanks is expensive and may destroy the tanks (ask the Fountain owners!!)

Fountain38SC · 02-24-2004, 12:53 PM

Ditto, call sonic for info before you tear into the floor.

wwwTOPDJcom · 02-24-2004, 06:33 PM

CALL AudioFn

dyno · 02-25-2004, 06:19 AM

sounds like he's digging a little deep...I'd call the factory too!

Audiofn · 02-25-2004, 07:32 AM

He is probably assuming that there is something else wrong with your stringer grid. Probably a good assumption if you have a crack in a bulkhead. They do not really see that much stress that they should ever crack. Even my rotted out oned did not crack. However a second opinion is a good idea. I have some AWSOME glass guys up in my area if you are interested PM me and I will get you in touch with them. They are in Gloucester and do TOP NOTCH work. I am sure that if you work it out with them that they will even keep your boat indoors.

Jon

Jon

Sonic30ss · 02-25-2004, 07:54 AM

Thanks for all the info guys.
I noticed something when I looked at the problem, last winter I had the small crack ground out and reglassed, it seems this guy noticed that there was a space between the cabin liner and the bulkhead, for lack of a better term, it would be the threshold area of the cabin door. He filled it with mat and resin, to "make it stronger", now I'm wondering if by bonding the two areas together he did not allow the boat to flex normally and sent the forces from the liner movement through the bulkhead. I'm not a structural engineer but, looking at the results this may be the problem.
Jon- I may be in touch with you soon, thanks