Need advice before purchase : Bad cracks ?
- Thread starter xavpil
- Start date
Photos A and D are interesting. D looks like something heavy dropped there or the core is weak. Could be something or nothing to worry about. How solid does it feel?
A could be nothing much. The important part is the connection below the deck for the chain plate. Is the chain plate in good shape?
In general gelcoat cracks are cosmetic and cause no issues. They are particularly common in area where there is a tight radius, such as a seat back or where the cabin meets the deck. They occur because gelcoat is brittle and easily cracked and there is often very slight movement at these radii. The little bit of flexing over time causes the gelcoat to crack.
These issues would not cause me to walk away if the boat was in otherwise good shape for the money.
A could be nothing much. The important part is the connection below the deck for the chain plate. Is the chain plate in good shape?
In general gelcoat cracks are cosmetic and cause no issues. They are particularly common in area where there is a tight radius, such as a seat back or where the cabin meets the deck. They occur because gelcoat is brittle and easily cracked and there is often very slight movement at these radii. The little bit of flexing over time causes the gelcoat to crack.
These issues would not cause me to walk away if the boat was in otherwise good shape for the money.
stress cracks in any boat of that age are common, however, it’s impossible from pictures to tell whether moisture entering them has rotted the core over time. If you dont know how to assess the problem, get a competent surveyor.
Good! While it’s always good to seek the opinions of others, providing opinions based solely on a few pictures isn‘t always reliable. Assuming you want insurance after purchase, a survey will be required anyway.
There are tons of reasons for crazing or cracking in gelcoat. To name a few, too much gelcoat thickness (which is usually a problem of older boats - especially with ortholalic gelcoats), or air in the lamination (often found on inside corners or from non-vacuum-bagged layups), or from stress in high load areas, or from fasteners, or from moisture getting into core material (usually through uncalled hardware), or from compression damage from impact, or from bad gelcoats that are brittle (which is a problem some manufacturers hav experienced much to their dismay), or from boat manufacturer screw ups by not properly sealing off underwater hardware in cored hulls), or I have seen it on boats that winter in subfreezing parts of the country. You will not find a dry older boat. But, you can find boats that don't have alarming, high levels of moisture. The best way to find problems is to have a good moisture meter and someone who knows how to use it. However, you can take a hammer and tap on decks and hulls and listen for a solid crack, or a thud. A thud usually suggests moisture and core deterioration. If you walk on the deck and it is spongy underfoot, that is not a good sign. If the cockpit floor is wet and you can move the pedestal steering back and forth, then you have a problem. Whatever the reason, it is fixable. It just depends on the value of the boat, its age and whether or not you should pass on it, or the repair is worth the cost because the boat is otherwise a good boat with value. If you have an old boat that has a bunch cracks in it, but no moisture problems, then it might not be worth spending money to fix it unless you are handy and have the time tackle the job knowing that you won't increase the value much because of it's age, unless it is a valuable classic. A surveyor can help with those questions. I have seen some pretty high quality and expensive boats with very small gelcoat crazing that have no moisture issues. They can be fixed, but is it worth it if it is merely cosmetic and not so easy to see? However, there are some makes out there that are known for hideous crazing, but otherwise are great, well found, good quality boats. If you own one and then find yourself with a boat with developing cracks that are hideous to look at, that is an unfortunate thing and when you sell it you will take a hit and in many cases it isn't worth the cost to fix. Bill out.
Thx for taking the time to reply. I actually bought the boat 2 weeks ago. It s now out of the water and through my novice’s eyes, all looks pretty good. The only visible water penetration were Due to bad sealer in the port light. Fixed.
i Have been deep cleaning, removing all plumbing and haven’t found any water.
The only one I would say is just Gel Coat crazing is E. A,C & H appear to be cracks.
I don't think he repair would be that difficult. Search threads for video's from Andy at Boatworks.com. It was a recent thread. Matching the gelcoat would be a bit of a challenge. I'd be tempted to paint a band aide over the repair.
I don't think he repair would be that difficult. Search threads for video's from Andy at Boatworks.com. It was a recent thread. Matching the gelcoat would be a bit of a challenge. I'd be tempted to paint a band aide over the repair.
Agree .....gelcoat crazing. Buy color-matched glecoat or color match the gelcoat. Grind cracks with a dremel tool, fill with gelcoat, let dry then wet sand, apply rubbing compound, buff, apply a glaze, wax polish and buff. The pattern non-skid could be more challenging and suggest filling the cracks with a syring, which is what I have done, or for a more expert repair use a mold like Gibco Flex-mold Gibco Flex-Mold, Non Skid Surfaces (gibcoflexmold.com) matched to your gelcoat pattern.
You might find this video helpful: How To Fix Boat Gelcoat Spider Cracks, Hairline Cracks, and Crazing [MATERIALS LIST] | BoatUS - Bing video.
You might find this video helpful: How To Fix Boat Gelcoat Spider Cracks, Hairline Cracks, and Crazing [MATERIALS LIST] | BoatUS - Bing video.