stern rail flexing fix

[sam]

I previously posted my concern over excessive stern rail flexure, especially on the port side. I was experiencing crazing / hairline stress cracking in the gelcoat around the mount nearest the aft gate opening. After over a year of communicating with beneteau to no avail, the local dealer has very graciously paid for a durable fix. Picture is enclosed. I believe that this will take care of the problem. This is something that Beneteau should address but they have stone-walled this discussion and looked totally to the dealer to handle it. SeaLake Yacht Sales in Kemah, TX deserves credit for this on behalf of Beneteau.

[clayton curtis]

I've had a similar concern and have two small hairline cracks in my gelcoat possibly from flexing of the stern rail. The motor mount that Beneteau supplies seems insufficient and placed too near the stern gate. I decided to remedy the problem by supporting the motor mount. Looking at the picture Sam uploaded, my solution doesn't seem better, but it is a solution that seems to work for me well. Basically, I wanted to move the mount near the rail's turn to the port side because the rail's bend will provide more support and wanted to brace the mount by connecting it to the lower rail. I used parts from Sailrite (see list below) that cost me $35. I drilled a 1" hole in the bottom of the white plastic motor mount right up the center leaving most of the center of the plastic so that the rail I added fit snug into the ring I drilled out with a 1" circular drill bit. Then, I slid the tube up into the mount and clamped it all together. I wrapped the bar where the mount sits with some rubber tape to keep the mount from sliding, In fact I just used the tape that was in there already. It holds well and seems solid enough. See picture below.

42101 1 Eye End Stainless Steel 1" $10.50
110165 1 Hinged Jaw Slide Stainless Steel for 1" Tubing $19.95
1165 1 Tubing Stainless Steel 1" $5.45

[CAN DRAC]

Nice job!