Severe Gelcoat cracking Need help on Alberg 30

[wesleysherman]

I have purchased a 1968 Alberg as a new restoration project... been itchin to build a alberg for a few years... I finished my other two Hunter 27 and Dufour. so now I am about to tackle this.

My question is about an area on the Alberg Hull... about the center of the starboard side I sanded away a section of the old paint. and found this..

It only affects about a 3-4 foot section from just below the toe rail and water line.. it is just outside the hull of the head left and right bulkhead. I have run into crazing and hair line cracks in my previous restorations but never this before..

Any ideas on what this is .. other than really dry gel coat from sitting in the sun for about 4 years in a boat yard.? and if any ideas out there on what is the repair for this problem.? I am leaning toward complete removal of the gelcoat in this area and checking the fiberglass and if ok fairing out this whole area again......

Thank you all .. for your input in advance

 

[Bad Obsession]

There is a pretty active Alberg 30 members group on the Chesapeake Bay. You may want to do a google search and find them to see if they have experienced anything like this.

 

[kloudie1]

Might be bending damage from an impact. Doesn't look like the glass underneath was damaged, only the gelcoat. The gelcoat (as you know)is a lot more brittle than the glass underneath.. the glass can bend enough to not damage itself but the gelcoat will craze and crack .. probably bears some more sanding and inspection, inside and outside, but that looks like only surface damage and is probably why it was painted.