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Home Port: Biloxi MS
Vessel Info: 2008 38 Open
Hey Guys. First post! Been lurking for about 1 year. Took ownership of a beautiful 2008 38 Open last spring. She has developed cracking along the aft and port sides of the hardtop right on the midline of the side. Its where you would imagine the seam would be if the top and bottom were joined together as 2 separate parts. Has anyone else had this issue, and if so, please share regarding the repair?
Thanks much,
PJS
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Home Port: Long Island Sound
Vessel Info: 2007 32 Open
Cummins 355
Hi PJS,
We bought a 2007 32 Open last year. The prior owner had installed an all new electronics package the year prior to our purchase. The hardtop had a crack the entire length of the aft leading edge right in the middle. Upon diagnosis at the dealer it was found that the radar array and and antennas had not been sealed. This allowed water to get into the core of the hardtop, collect at the low point of the aft end, and eventually split the fiberglass when it froze. They removed and rebedded everything on the hardtop and got most of the moisture out. After the fix it looks as good as new. FYI, we had to also do this on the added rod holders on the gunnel and on the deck hatch hardware. May not be exactly your situation, but look into this. Best...
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Home Port: South haven,mi
Vessel Info: 2006 3200 0pen 8.1 crusaders
03-10-2020, 12:55 PM
(This post was last modified: 03-10-2020, 12:59 PM by reeltimebrad.)
Definitely check the entire top for moisture I had major issue with moisture in my 2006 luckily it was always stored heated so it never cracked. Seems dealers can't figure out how to properly mount accessories and tiara did not fill in the voids in the balsa core so a leak anywhere in the top allows water to travel wherever it wants.
FWIW I took the top off and had a fiberglass shop remove the upper skin in the aft half and replace the coring it's not a easy or cheap repair. If this is your issue pick a shop that has experience with coring and the ability to handle something that large.
