I'm seeing more and more stress cracks in the gelcoat. I mean everywhere. Most every screw has cracks radiating, most sharp angles, seats and hatches where there are rubber bumpers underneath etc. Mine is an '84 and I noticed that they changed the non skid pattern on the deck after. Even the cabin top winch for the spin halyard has long cracks growing from under. I would expect the other main and jib winch would have much larger loads and crack that side instead. Were all the H31 from that age have gelcoat like that or has my boat just been abused more or just have a bad gelcoat job from the start? What's the best way to deal with all these stress cracks? I'm stressed just thinking about it!
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Fry, Fry...we have a few of them, too. Someday...
I will use my Dremel tool to cut a small "V" groove along the crack in which I will fill with color blended repair gelcoat. I'll use sandpaper to level the repair then finish it with a polishing compound until the repair vanishes. As I recall this the procedure described on this site when they were running gelcoat repair articles. You might be able to find it in the archives. A google search might turn up several sources for you to search through as well. Terry
I will use my Dremel tool to cut a small "V" groove along the crack in which I will fill with color blended repair gelcoat. I'll use sandpaper to level the repair then finish it with a polishing compound until the repair vanishes. As I recall this the procedure described on this site when they were running gelcoat repair articles. You might be able to find it in the archives. A google search might turn up several sources for you to search through as well. Terry
Terry
Dremel tool sounds like a good idea! Are you a dentist by chance? LOL I'll look for the gelcoat repair articles, Thanks!
Dremel tool sounds like a good idea! Are you a dentist by chance? LOL I'll look for the gelcoat repair articles, Thanks!
stress cracks
One thing not mentioned regarding stress cracks, before I headed off and did any repairs I would first insure my rigging is not over tighten.
One thing not mentioned regarding stress cracks, before I headed off and did any repairs I would first insure my rigging is not over tighten.
Its not just you...
My 85 H31 has them in spades. The most distressing to me are the ones on the cockpit floor. I dont do anything for them except to try and keep the cockpit dry. I am thinking of trying Capt Tollys creeping crack sealer next season. Paul
My 85 H31 has them in spades. The most distressing to me are the ones on the cockpit floor. I dont do anything for them except to try and keep the cockpit dry. I am thinking of trying Capt Tollys creeping crack sealer next season. Paul
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