Repairing 8" Gel Coat Crack with Water Underneath

Apr 2, 2014
1
Watkins 36 CC Washington, DC
I am looking at buying a 1995 Catalina MK III. The boat has a crack in the gel coat about the stern. The gel coat in this area above the waterline and 3 above the bottom edge of the transom, is lifting away from the fiberglass and has caused an 8 inch crack. After a very strong rain, water has filled the void behind this large blister. I do not see any other blisters on the boat.

Has anyone seen this type of problem before? Is this serious or easily fixable?