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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Seam or Crack??

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Bortiquai
1st Mate

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88 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/10/2008 : 12:11:36

Can someone describe (or better yet... a picture?) of the "Catalina Smile"?

I have a 1980 Catalina 25 fixed keel. The other day I was cleaning the bottom in clear water, and noticed a line in the bottom paint. It is located about 6-8 inches behind the front edge of where the keel begins to slope down, pretty much a straight line down from the mast step.

This line goes all the way from one side of the boat to the other, but is only below the water line. It is perfectly straight line - like could only be drawn by a person with a straight edge. When you touch it, it's almost like if you were to put a small thread and then paint over it. The paint itself is not cracked, just slightly raised in this straight line.

I didn't think it was a crack because it is so straight. There is no water coming into the boat. I never noticed this line before, but have only owned the boat for about 4 months, and it is very subtle.

Should I be concerned about this?

Thanks

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 06/10/2008 : 12:35:54

[url="http://www.blumhorst.com/catalina27/images/keel_factory_drawings/keel_crack_repair._from_catalina.gif"]Catalina Smile[/url]

Edited by - dlucier on 06/10/2008 12:37:46

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 06/10/2008 : 13:43:42

Your post is one of those that would benefit with a photo. I'm having a problem picturing what you are saying...one thing is definatley clear though...It's not the "Catalina Smile"

Could it be the remains of the marks of straps used to launch your boat ?

Val on Calista, # 3936, Patchogue, N.Y.

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 06/10/2008 : 13:45:44

Or the mark of a paint roller applying paint

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quilombo
Captain

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USA
301 Posts

Response Posted - 06/10/2008 : 15:53:25

sounds like Val might be right, may be paint roller marks

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Bortiquai
1st Mate

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88 Posts

Response Posted - 06/10/2008 : 18:24:07

dlucier - thank you for the link. I actually found that picture shortly after I made this post. Indeed, it is not the catalina smile. Looks like the catalina smile is horizontal, and my marks are vertical.

A picture would be difficult, because all of the problem is below the waterline, and of course it is in the water. Let me try again.

Just less than half-way back from the very front (even with the mast), there is a perfectly straight line that goes from the top edge of the waterline down one side of the hull and back up the other side of the hull, ending at the opposite waterline edge. The line is visible and can be felt with your hand, but the paint does not appear to be cracked - just raised up. In fact, if you look real close it looks like a tiny, perfectly straight mountain range. But we are talking just a couple of milimeters. Just enough to see or feel, but as I say - the paint doesn't apper to be broken. The line does not continue above the waterline on either side.

Those who suggested marks from the straps during haul-out are on the right idea, except I painted after the haul out (obviosly) and they put it back in with a finger-lift. I don't think it's roller marks either, because A) the line is way too straight and B) it goes all the way, uninterupted from one side of the hull to the other.

My big concern here is that I didn't notice it before. Not when I was painting, and not last time I wiped the bottom in clear water. So my fear is that this is developing.

I am going to do the chalk test to see if any water at all is coming up, but I don't think so.

Could it be from the mast compressing down to the hull somehow?

Thanks for everyone's help!
Matt

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/10/2008 : 18:37:58

When a boat is hauled for the winter, the yard usually pressure-washes the bottom to get the slime off while it's hanging in the slings--possibly removing some paint as well. But they generally don't pressure wash under the slings, leaving a straight line of slime to dry there, or possibly even a layer of paint that isn't even with the surrounding area. Perhaps somebody painted over that residual dried slime or paint line.

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tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 06/11/2008 : 08:23:46

Matt,

I suppose you will have to wait until haul out time to get to the bottom

of this , unlESS-UNLESS-UNless, you are willing to try to scrape a small line perpendicular to the one in question just enough to determine the nature of the line....just 1/2" or so.

Val on Calista # 3936, Patchogue, N.Y.

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Bortiquai
1st Mate

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88 Posts

Response Posted - 06/12/2008 : 10:18:18

Yeah, I guess I'll just keep a close eye on it. The boat has only been in the water for 2 months. I live down in the Caribbean, so there is year-round sailing (no winter haul out). I'm hoping it's nothing, and I'm just freaking out. I'm certain, though, it's not a paint line or something like that. It's underneath the paint I'm sure. Thanks for everyones help. If it looks like it's changing, or growing, I'll re-post on this.

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