I have a series of semi-circle hairline cracks in the exterior gelcoat around the head sink drain on my 2000 260. Does anyone have any ideas what is causing this and whether or not I should be concerned about it?
Hairline Cracks in Gelcoat around Exterior Drain
- Thread starter langstraatp
- Start date
Are these cracks in the gelcoat of the sink bowl or in the gelcoat of the exterior hull, at the sink hose through-hull? If the former, and the glass seen from the underside of the bowl is sound, I would not worry about it, personally. If in the hull, I'd check the condition of the glass on the inside of the hull at the through-hull (assuming the sink drains to its own through-hull).
They are on the exterior of the hull approximately 10 inches from the thru hull. I am now wondering if it due to impact or perhaps a fender applying pressure in the area.
Take a couple of photos and let me take a look at it and post. IF possible, the underside .
dave condon
dave condon
Hi Dave,
I'll send you some pics on the weekend. I just put the boat back into the storage yard for the week. Thanks for your interest.
Piet
I'll send you some pics on the weekend. I just put the boat back into the storage yard for the week. Thanks for your interest.
Piet
You are welcome sir and please send them to me and I will post and advise. I will also advise the forum as well.
Hi Dave,
Pic of hairline cracks is attached. They are very small. I can't put my fingernail into them and can barely feel them when I run my hand over them.
Piet
Pic of hairline cracks is attached. They are very small. I can't put my fingernail into them and can barely feel them when I run my hand over them.
Piet
Attachments
A number of things may have occurred to have caused that to include being struck hard or just occoured over time. Since they are in the head sink, they appear to be more cosmetic at this point, not structural. You could fix then though by gouging or scoring the cracks and apply two part epoxy but then you would have to paint which I would remove the drain when painting. I would then mask or tape the area at the top of the sink where the curves are to hide any discoloration of the paint. I would then sand the area to be painted and clean out and spray with the closest Krylon paint beige that comes close. However, personally, I would leave it alone.
Hi Dave,
Actually the cracks are on the hull near the waterline where the thru-hull for the sink drain exits the hull.
Since they are on the exterior of the hull, and near the waterline, does this change your thoughts on the seriousness of the cracks?
Actually the cracks are on the hull near the waterline where the thru-hull for the sink drain exits the hull.
Since they are on the exterior of the hull, and near the waterline, does this change your thoughts on the seriousness of the cracks?
In the construction of the boat when it was manufactured, Hunter used a foam sandwich material inside the glass laminates which shrank when resin was applied to give the hull strength and durability without the thickness of glass. Thus less weight to tow and so forth but also allowed the hull to give if struck. Usually the hair line glass cracks are in the gel coat only if the hull had been struck and pushed in but came back out.
What you have is a cosmetic issue. however, if those cracks are only in the gel coat, they are above the water line. I would leave it alone as you can repair the gel coat cracks but after 8 years, it would be difficult to match that gel coat and it would show on the side of the hull. If the cracks are only in the gel coat, leave it alone; otherwise if the repairs do show, you will have to repaint the whole side of that hull to insure one color.
Do make sure the damage is not thru the hull by looking below the sink.
What you have is a cosmetic issue. however, if those cracks are only in the gel coat, they are above the water line. I would leave it alone as you can repair the gel coat cracks but after 8 years, it would be difficult to match that gel coat and it would show on the side of the hull. If the cracks are only in the gel coat, leave it alone; otherwise if the repairs do show, you will have to repaint the whole side of that hull to insure one color.
Do make sure the damage is not thru the hull by looking below the sink.
Hi Dave,
Much appreciated. I have gone through the interior of the hull and there is no damage at all in that area. Reassuring to know that this is cosmetic. I, too, was concerned about a "patchy" repair that would lead to an entire paint job on the boat.
I'll leave it for now and keep an eye on it.
Thanks!
Much appreciated. I have gone through the interior of the hull and there is no damage at all in that area. Reassuring to know that this is cosmetic. I, too, was concerned about a "patchy" repair that would lead to an entire paint job on the boat.
I'll leave it for now and keep an eye on it.
Thanks!