Gel Coat cracking

[Bo Foisy]

Has anyone experienced their gel coat cracking above and below the water line?If so, how did Beneteau work with you?My 1997 351 has been having gel coat cracking problems for over three years, and Beneteau doesn't acknowedge it as a manufacturing problem. All indications and discussions with other boat owners, and repair yards suggest otherwise.Our sailing season on Lake Ontario is only about 4 months/year and over the past 4 years, the gel coat has deterioated so bad that I am forced to have it repaird over the winter months.Looking for help on this subject.Bo Foisy

 

[James]

Mine Cracks Too...However...

They all crack. Production boats all are built at a cost per pound...and that's a fact. I own a Beneteau, and think that it is a really great boat. However part of boat ownership is doing the annual touch up to the gelcoat. Be it flex cracks along the corners or thin decks that flex when a big guy stands on an arew where there is little support below.Expect to budget $1000.00 per year to keep it looking good. Comments...

 

[LillibetFirst310]

Making gelcoat repairs

I have a 1993 First 310 and will be hauling early this year to do gelcoat cracking repairs (among others).The repair guys say it is a production thing but as someone else said they all seem to have some sort of problem over the years.

 

[Rick I]

It should not crack

Beneteaus have some of the worst gelcoat I've seen. They come from the factory with cracks! I own one and was very surprised by the amount of repairs the dealer had to make to a brand new boat. The problem seems to be in all the SC built boats. I saw it in many boats being commissioned. I also own a 17 year old production boat that I bought new. It has not got the problems that Beneteaus have. I don't know what the problem is with Beneteaus but they should at least acknowledge it and do the right thing. You can't put it down to "production" boats, it seems the problem is with Beneteau. Wayne, are you listening?

 

[James]

Cost Per Pound - $/lb ratio

A well known boat repair facility on Lake Ontario spoke about this very problem when I had my Beneteau repaired.They were not trying to upsell me, hell they could'nt give a damp what I thought. But they said that these so called "production" boats are made cheap. There are no real standards and they slap them together real fast using thin materials. They look real pretty when new but the reality is that they flex and bend when put under stress. Just look at the deck of your boat after a winter in the cradle. Look real close, there are pressure cracks from the weight of the keel pushing upwards thus causing an upward force on the structure.I still would buy a Beneteau because they are pretty, they sail nice. Ever price a new Swan or Hinckley? Makes that $1000.00 each season seem like nothing.