Aluminum Pipe/Tube on Hardtop burst ?

[abl1111]

Weird. My brother just uncovered his 2005, 24' walk around Robalo with a hardtop. It was shrink-wrapped over the winter. The boat is MINT.

On a very top-ward portion of his hardtop, an angled but mostly vertical pc of approx 1.25-1.5" anodized aluminum pipe has a small 1" outward burst-looking crack ?

It seems way to high for any frozen water to make this crack ?! The path of least resistance would not really let ice/water go in this direction of pipe. But as we all know, water is funny stuff - ice probably weirder !

Any idea how a crack like this can happen ?

NOTE: When he first bought the boat, 3 years ago, there was a similar crack way down low near a mounting flange - we thought nothing of it - had it welded...

But now, our minds are churning for ... why ?

[Old'sCool]

Prob water freezing. Repair it and make sure there are weep holes drilled.

[abl1111]

Yup thats what we figured out after all.. Had to be. And there is no weep hole. Will fix and add weep hole... Thx

[oldfielder]

If you need a guy call Penweld. He helped me out big time and does nice work.

[abl1111]

Thx - I think it was fixed today.

[csurf]

Originally Posted by oldfielder

If you need a guy call Penweld. He helped me out big time and does nice work.

I got a quote on some stuff from Jim this year and he came back really expensive. I've seen his work and it's A+ stuff but his prices are a bit high. I have a new guy out in Moriches that does top notch work with realistic prices.

PM if you want his number.

[abl1111]

I will need a guy to make me a frame once I can make a hardtop. Life in the way right now...

Send me your guys info...

[bobbert]

Could also be the guy that did the shrink wrap shrunk it to much. Had the same thing happen to me. Now always add 2 x 4 supports under.