Hull Crazing, cracked, just cosmetic or serious?

[pearsoncommander251]

I am the new owner of a Pearson Ariel. I recently had the hull soda blasted due to years of paint build-up. The Boat was in Boston for 20+ years and stored on the hard for three years. The anti-fouling paint was hard epoxy and coated and coated and coated. Once the paint was removed it revealed what looks like cracks or crazing. The question is... is this cosmetic or deeper? Could this be from freezing temp or UV sun exposure? Should I grind and inspect or just move forward with the barrier coat 2000 system?

See photos of the hull gel coat cracks:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9499486...in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9499486...n/photostream/

 

[TLW]

If that were a customer's boat we might have a discussion about it. And, no doubt, others will give a variety of opinions here. If that were MY BOAT, I would give it 5 full coats of Inter-Protect with the directed time between coats to get a chemical (rather the mechanical) bond, apply your anti-fouling paint of choice, and GO SAILING.

 

[sandpiper10471]

To me that looks like brittle gelcoat. I doubt the hull is cored. I would remove the gelcoat and see if the cracks extend into the laminate. If not, barrier coat, antifoul and go sailing. If they do, take pics and get back to us.

 

[Chris Patterson]

It's nuthin. Sand it, coat it, paint it, sail it..

 

[pearsoncommander251]

After grinding this is what I found. :>(

So after grinding down this is what I found. The yard suggested barrier coat with 2000E and dont worry about it.

Thoughts?

 

[kloudie1]

I think I am seeing that there is discoloration under the crack but the crack is not into the glass..?? top right of top right picture: right at the edge of the grind, I see no discoloration nor do I see a crack.. hard to tell without putting eyes on but that is what it looks like to me.. grind the cracks smooth and go with it.. try to not damage the glass.. removing the discoloration is probably not necessary.

 

[pearsoncommander251]

Detailed pic

I agree, no actual crack in the glass.

See close up picture

 

[sandpiper10471]

So why the discolouration under the old cracks? If you are sure the fibres all the way through have not been jeopardized, go ahead and fair the area out and sail. However, if the glass deeper down has broken strands, then I would recommend grinding and laminating in new stitchmat.

 

[pearsoncommander251]

I can't see any cracks in the glass but the discoloration is interesting, maybe UV exposure thru the cracks over many years.

 

[jibes138]

Is it possible water was absorbed into those areas since the gelcoat was compromised? Throw in some salt and it might explain the local discoloring? Do you think the boat hit something or the hull is flexing in that area to cause the gelcoat cracking? It looks like a strainer so maybe a tight seacock handle inside the boat caused stressing if someone tried to force it or put a cheater on it?

 

[pearsoncommander251]

It is possible water penetrated the gelcoat. The boat seems to have a poor maintenance record. At this point I’m inclined to fix the big items (soft deck, thru-hulls, blisters, replace standing rigging etc.) and simply apply a barrier coat and anti-fouling to deal with the cracked gelcoat.

 

[finding41]

I was going to mention the red silicone on the through hull. May want to re-bed that. If someone has tried to fix it....

 

[bffatcat]

bottom maintenence

you did not mention if the boat leaked salt water or not. I have a pearson 26w a friend had a
pearson commander. These boats were built to stand the rigors of time. Neither boat leaked Inspect the bilges for salt water leakage If you dont find any signs of salt water in the bilges barrier coat, bottom paint and go sailing