A release agent is first applied to the surface of the mold, over which the gelcoat material is applied. One crack extends horizontally several inches toward the outside of the boat. It can hardly be felt with the finger, but a finger nail will catch it. May 17, 2015 hey guys, i have a 96 champion 191 boat. We were down at northport marine in north fremantle making repairs to a power cat. You can successfully complete basic fiberglass boat repair by following these steps. Easy cheap how to restore boat gel coat boat hull gelcoat.
Hairline crack on transom moderated discussion areas. Avoid spreading the gelcoat too thin or youll get stroke marks. Crazing in gelcoat, also known as spider cracks or stress cracks, plagues countless boaters. More then just stress cracks below the water line youtube. In most cases this is true, however it is important to seal them correctly. Also, older fiberglass boats tend to have a thicker application of gelcoat which means they are more susceptible to cracking. Repairing hairline cracks and how to do repair gelcoat magicezy. Look for cracks in highload areas, such as the corners of the transom and around the outboard brackets or engine well, says group. It is right above the port bunk and there are no other cracks in the transom. Given it is a single crack i would discount it as a stress crack caused by movement in the transom and proffer that it is a result of age and an over application of gelcoat in that seam at the factory. Boat repair, fibreglass boat repairs cobalt blue marine. Im pretty sure the seat pan is gonna have to come out soon to be reinforced. Trailer boats to cray boats, luxury motor yachts, no boat is too big or small.
Cracks should be ground out with a grinder and filled with a fiber reinforced putty. Crazing is an incredibly common issue on modern fiberglass boats, and although it usually starts off as a matter of cosmetics, in severe cases these surface cracks can grow, deepen, and eventually threaten your boat s. This thicker gelcoat cannot stand any flexing without showing cracks. And i guess is was all for nothing as the boat is a lemon at best. This of course assumes that your crack was caused by water getting into the transom and freezing.
Crazing in gelcoat, also known as spider cracks or stress cracks, plagues countless boaters and is an incredibly common issue on modern fiberglass boats. Like thousands of boat owners who have successfully repaired their boats, you can use west. At first glance it looks like a gelcoat issue though. West system epoxy is the better choice for repairing fiberglass boats. Before you grab a hammer and start whacking, carefully inspect the hull. I bought a repowered 2000 25 cc in april of last year. If you own a boat, you may know that it is important to give your boat a gelcoat cover to help protect it from leaks and cracks. Sep 05, 2017 if you look at a pool, or even a boat, the gelcoat is the color you see. Imperfections in your boats finish can tell you about its structural integrity. The smart buyer how to tell if that core is wet soundings. It has great thin film cure characteristics, cures in cool temperatures and has a long shelf life. It has excellent adhesive qualities, wets out fiberglass fabrics and it is tough.
You can get gelcoat with wax or without in certain cases. Spider or structural cracks around transom boat design net. He felt they were cosmetic and recommended repairing the gelcoat. This is a slow project and i plan on redoing the complete transom,stringers and floor in the far future. Fiberglass repaired and carefully hand shaped to recreate the multiple curves on the transom deck of this boat. The lower 14 of the transom was rotted, allowing the outer skin to flex. How to repair gelcoat, fiberglass boat repair boating. Please subscribe, leave a comment and give us a thumbs up. For example, spider web crack a small high impact that could have destroyed the matrics of the fiberglass in that area which results in a soft spot, possible. During the fall i noticed some rust colored staining of the hull. Each item mentioned, will tell you something different about the hull. Trailering can be a weak transom killer also, make sure to strap down solid and use the transom saver, and watch for the big potholes.
At that time the surveyor pointed out some very small cracks in the transom gelcoat around the rim of the exhaust. Spider cracks are nonstructural damage to the gelcoat of a boat. Both boats had cracks in gelcoat in the splash well where it meets transom. Gelcoat is a fiberglass resin that has had a pigment added to it. Check for cracks on the lifting strakes and cracks just above or. Transom test when buying or repairing a boat the united. They are all around the seats, cooler, rod box, and trolling motor. Repairing fiberglass powerboat transoms epoxyworks. Welcome to scoutboat problems just another wordpress site. Jun 26, 2012 camper nicholson 31 owner repairs cracks and crazing in the gelcoat on the hull. On top of the stress cracks in the hull there are numerous other ones throughout the boat but this is the. Gelcoat is usually a pigmented, unsaturated polyester resin and may be anywhere from 12 to 22 mils thick. The loads by the outboard are likely being transmitted symmetrically to both corners of the transom and the structure is symmetrical too.
How to repair gelcoat, fiberglass boat repair boating magazine. The type of cracks the op is seeing are not structural and are likely due to gel coat that was applied too thick. Hairline cracks, stress cracks or spider cracks star cracks that occur in gelcoat surfaces on fiberglass boats or other water craft are often seen as a cosmetic issue. Crazing is an incredibly common issue on modern fiberglass boats, and although it usually starts off as a matter of cosmetics, in severe cases these surface cracks can grow, deepen, and eventually threaten your boats. Gel coat cracking on 2000 tritonanyone else having this. Stress cracks, spider cracks, and hairline cracks in the decks of older boats are, of course, not rare. How to fix crazing in gelcoat, also known as spider cracks or stress cracks which. Jun 24, 2011 long term, the plywood in the transom looses strength and becomes very flexible, allowing the gelcoat and fiberglass to crack. The effects of the motors weight are magnified when the boat is accelerated under normal operating conditions, and when the boat is bouncing along on a trailer. Solving it might be as simple as shifting a load from undersized equipment, or installing a larger backing plate to spread the load over a wider area. It was a quick way to make it look better for a while anyway, but the cracks always reappeared later. Jan 15, 2014 it is hard to make evaluations from such small photos, but if one of the cracks is suspected to be more than just a gelcoat issue, then the other one should be treated the same way.
An isonpg chemistry gelcoat should be utilized for best results. Hull showing cracks skeeter boats indepth outdoors. Gelcoat or paint which one should i use boatworks today. Hairline spider cracks must be opened wider and filled with an epoxy filler to be permanently repaired.
How to repair deep cracks in fiberglass boats youtube. It has been getting progressively worse since i discovered it, and spreading to the re. The plan was to do the repair when i pulled the boat out for the winter. Jul 26, 2014 outboard motors apply a considerable load to the transom. I have a 2011 wx 1850 and when wiping it down last week i noticed the fiberglass showing stress cracks in the hull. If you have any surface scrapes or gouges that need repair, check our advisor doit yourself. If the cracks radiate from the base of loadbearing equipment like a cleat or stanchion, there is probably a problem with the installation that deserves attention before repairing the gelcoat. Two part paints are going to be more durable and resistant to chemicals fuel. Fortunately, with the right tools most anyone can conduct this process, allowing you to save money from hiring a professional to do it. Of course sticking an icepic into the transom under the motor mount bolts on the inside of the boat works too but the owner may not want you poking his boat and you have to pierce the glass. Fiberglass boat repair sacramento sacramento boat repair. Like rex mentioned hairline gelcoat cracks arent much of a concern, i would keep an eye on it and go fishing. Gelcoat for the complete replacement of the transom in my 27ft. This image shows the stress cracks i noted while inspecting the boat the drive is off in the picture, but you can clearly see the stress cracks went well beyond the drive mounting area.
Repairing minor damage to the gelcoat surface of your boat. Some sort of flex happened, that cracked the outer fiberglass and i am trying to determine if this is a sure sign of a severe problem, or whether i can prevent it from getting worse by using a transom saver, and storing the boat with engines trimmed down. The wax, or sanding aid is an additive that allows the gelcoat to dry tackfree. The boat is in pretty good condition for its age in my opinion, but the hull does have some minor hairline stress cracks. To apply the gelcoat with a brush, dip the brush in the gelcoat so theres a liberal amount of gelcoat on it. If anyone has experience with these cracks please give me your advise. I have not had the boat for a while, i got it through a trade. Anyone else having this problem i have a 2000 triton 186 that the gel coat has been getting hundreds of tiny white cracks on the right gunwale since 2008, when i first noticed it. Heres a small example of what things looked like before i started, cracks highlighted with a sharpie pen so theyre easier to see. And two others where the transom meets the splash well. Follow along as i attempt to repair a damaged section of our boats gel coat. It is hard to make evaluations from such small photos, but if one of the cracks is suspected to be more than just a gelcoat issue, then the other one should be treated the same way. Fiberglass hulls flex and shift a bit under load one of the reasons, in addition to hull design difference, they ride better than tin hulls and if the outer gel coat is too rigid or stiff it can crack when the underlying.
If you look at a pool, or even a boat, the gelcoat is the color you see. There is one crack on either side of the transom as noted in the pictures. Cracked fiberglass near transom grady white boat owners. Eventually they went to fixing the cracks the correct way of grinding out the gelcoat and lamination layers that were damaged. This damage is often caused by slight flexing of the hull. Although this usually starts off as a matter of cosmetics, in severe cases these surface cracks can grow, deepen, and eventually threaten your boats structural integrity. I didnt know it at purchase, but these are cracks from too much flexing. Im pretty sure the stress cracks are from rough water. Once the hull is completely dry, you can apply the gel coat with a spray applicator or a paintbrush, whichever works best for you. Custom color matched gelcoat applied and blended in. I have a 2001 tr21 that is starting to do the small stress cracks just in front and behind both consoles.
These loads are concentrated on the fiberglass skin and core where the mount is located. Step 4 as soon as the crack has been channeled out, wipe it clean with a solvent like acetone and, using a plastic putty knife, flushfill it with gelcoat matched to the color of the surrounding area if the channel isnt too deep. In addition to the transom replacement, dr gelcoat eliminated several stress cracks in. Apr 25, 2006 you look at the transom closely, very closely, and you inspect, and see if its just a surface crack in the gel coat or fiber glass, or if its a crack that runs deeper. Easy cheap how to restore boat gel coat boat hull gelcoat oxidation restoration repair buffing duration.
Feb 23, 2016 well i was cleaning the rig friday and noticed i have two stress cracks below the two upper jackplate bolts. Imperfections in your boat s finish can tell you about its structural integrity. But as for now im planning on reparing all the gelcoat cracks this spring and use it in the summer to get some inspiration to. Camper nicholson 31 owner repairs cracks and crazing in the gelcoat on the hull. Long term, the plywood in the transom looses strength and becomes very flexible, allowing the gelcoat and fiberglass to crack. In most cases this is true, however it is important to seal them correctly otherwise water may penetrate into the fiberglass and cause more serious damage. These hairline fractures also occur in boats of the mid 1970s vintage which often had thicker gelcoat layers than newer boats. With time, it is possible that gelcoat can become cracked, simply through wear and tear or a specific incidence of damage. This boat is 2 years old and to be honest i never expected to find something like this. If budget allows i generally recommend going with a 2part.
I noticed some stress cracks in the gel coat below the portside mounting bracket for my swim platform. So i have been looking for my next boat now for over a year. How to decide if you should refurbish or sell your boat power. Generally, production fiberglass boat hulls are built in a female mold.
How to repair deep cracks in fiberglass boats with the new west system fiberglass boat repair kit. Look for stress cracks around stanchions or other areas that might be an indication of an underlying structural problem. Jun 16, 2017 before you grab a hammer and start whacking, carefully inspect the hull. Outboard motors apply a considerable load to the transom.
What is the fix for the hairline cracks in the gelcoat. Apply the gelcoat using a brush if youre covering a small area. One manufacturer use to just sand and polish spider cracks especially on runabouts with metal flake gelcoat. Stress cracks in fiberglass bass boats, canoes, kayaks and. Yesterday i went to look at two potential new to me 1999 year gradys. Jun 10, 2017 hairline spider cracks must be opened wider and filled with an epoxy filler to be permanently repaired. This yamaha boat sustained damage to the fiberglass and gelcoat at the portside aft deck. Check for cracks on the lifting strakes and cracks just above or below the chines. Brush the gelcoat onto the fiberglass using short vertical strokes. While it is a pretty complicated job, replacing the transom core isn. Check out a previous blog post about boat cleaning products, too. Look for bubbles in the gelcoat, scars with fiberglass hanging out, spider web cracks, and long gelcoat cracks. Although this usually starts off as a matter of cosmetics, in severe cases these surface cracks can grow, deepen, and eventually threaten your boat s structural integrity.
I spent a long time and many hours doing research and attended many boat shows before deciding to purchase a scout boat. Repairing hairline cracks and crazing in gelcoat is a pain in the transom, which explains why most people dont do it. Gel coat cracking on 2000 tritonanyone else having this problem. Although this usually starts off as a matter of cosmetics, in severe cases these surface cracks can grow, deepen, and eventually threaten your boats. This resin can be used as a protective surface over the top of fiberglass, or simply as a finish, much like you might varnish a piece of outdoor furniture. If there are no cracks in the fiberglass, it would be necessary to dry the fiberglass completely with heat lamps andor heat gun before resurfacing it with new gelcoat. Im not sure how to post pictures here but i could email you a photo of the.
This on the lower transom with a 225 yamaha above and to the right of it. Ive always been harder than most on my boats well everything i own but these are the first cracks ive ever had in a transom. How to apply gelcoat the endall guide fiberglass coatings. How to repair spider cracks on your fiberglass boat.
Repairing hairline cracks and how to do repair gelcoat. May 23, 20 use a fine grit sandpaper to smooth out the cracks and prep the surface of your boat. Also small stress cracks in the gelcoat at the ends of the top of the transom indicates flexing under load, another sign of a weak and getting bad transom. Proper boat keeping is reflected in your boats overall appearance, and the gel coat is the most obvious indicator of your boats health. One was an 208 adventure and the other a seafarer22. If your gel coat already shows signs of aging, its time to repair it or to reapply a fresh layer to revitalize your boats look. Like rex mentioned hairline gelcoat cracks arent much of a concern. Cracks, chips, star fractures in your gelcoat can all be fixed to look like new. I did store the boat for the first time in a marina all last. Gelcoat doesnt flex at the same rate as the underlying fiberglass layer fiberglass is more flexible, so stress cracks appeared all over. Gelcoat is a resin that will protect any fiberglass structure with a strong shield.
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