Fine cracks in gelcoat

[Dock Holiday]

Hi everyone,

I am new to sailing and just purchased a hunter 240 I have a couple of areas where I have some cracking on the side of the upper deck. A guy told me not to waste my money getting them fixed because this always happens to glass boats and they will come back. Had the boat surveyed no moisture in them.This boat is almost pristeen except for these cracks. wondering what I should do any advise ?

Thanks D

 

[Guest]

Cracks

Most will tell you the cracks are cosmetic. We have them as well. One way to cover them up is to cut a small trough along the crack using a Dremel tool with a "V" tip. Use a gelcoat repair kit to fill the trough with a matched up blend, then sand level and polish to finish.

Terry Cox

 

[roxydog2003@sbcglobal.net]

I had an older Hunter and it had a few cracks in the gelcoat, nothing to worry about. I purchased a newer Hunter 380 that is in pristine condition except for a few cracks around the inside stay for the chainplate. We sailed quite a bit this Summer and while crossing Lake Michigan in 4 to 5 footer we notice that the whole port side deck was lifting abnormally or more than the starboard side. After quite a bit of exploration and talking with Hunter tech services we found that the inside chainplate rod and turnbuckle bolt was striped on the port side. This caused the rod to move more then it was meant to. The caused cracking of the gel coat was a hint of problems below it.
My point is that if it is an old boat and age has caused the stress cracks...okay, but if they look out of place don't assume it's normal, it will be amazing the amount of knowledge you will gain by exploring a problem

 

[Dock Holiday]

cracks in gel coat

Thanks for you input I appreciat it! It must be hard to match the gelcoat color though. Mine is white but white is very hard to match I think with the fading thrown in to the mix?

Dock Holiday