I have recently noticed several new gelcoat spider cracks mainly on the cabin tops of my 84 H31. Is this just signs of age of a 19 yr old boat, or is it something more serious like moisture/delamination ? What is the best way to fix these hairline cracks without painting the topsides?
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Most Likely Age
Now you face the big issue most face with a 20 year old boat, ignore it or paint the deck. Tough decision that could be costly. Take it slow and work through all of the pros and cons. In the meantime just sail.
Now you face the big issue most face with a 20 year old boat, ignore it or paint the deck. Tough decision that could be costly. Take it slow and work through all of the pros and cons. In the meantime just sail.
Repair of Spider Cracks
Came across this article about spider cracks that might help you learn what needs to be done: http://www.sailnet.com/collections/hersailnet/index.cfm?articleID=suelar0209 There is a reference to a booklet put out by Gougeon Brothers Inc which is a firm that specializes in fiberglass and they should be an authorative source on this. Another site has some info about the types of cracks along with pictures: http://www3.dsm.com/drs/gelcoat/trouble/~en/index_content.pl Discussion with pictures of crack repairs: http://www.diy-boat.com/Pages/Archives/links/fiberg.html Good article about gel coating that discusses all the little details. They say that thickness of the gel coat is critcial to preventing spider cracks (don't want it too thick): http://www.bertram31.com/proj/tips/re-gelcoating.htm Got these URLs by going into Google and searching for "gelcoat spider cracks". There are enough links with interesting information there to keep one going for a long time.
Came across this article about spider cracks that might help you learn what needs to be done: http://www.sailnet.com/collections/hersailnet/index.cfm?articleID=suelar0209 There is a reference to a booklet put out by Gougeon Brothers Inc which is a firm that specializes in fiberglass and they should be an authorative source on this. Another site has some info about the types of cracks along with pictures: http://www3.dsm.com/drs/gelcoat/trouble/~en/index_content.pl Discussion with pictures of crack repairs: http://www.diy-boat.com/Pages/Archives/links/fiberg.html Good article about gel coating that discusses all the little details. They say that thickness of the gel coat is critcial to preventing spider cracks (don't want it too thick): http://www.bertram31.com/proj/tips/re-gelcoating.htm Got these URLs by going into Google and searching for "gelcoat spider cracks". There are enough links with interesting information there to keep one going for a long time.
Captain Tolly's
I have had great success with Captain Tolly's Creaping Crack Cure material on crazing (spider cracks). It works very well with minimal prep work. Good Luck!
I have had great success with Captain Tolly's Creaping Crack Cure material on crazing (spider cracks). It works very well with minimal prep work. Good Luck!
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