I have a beneteau 323 2005 and seem to have alot of spider cracks especially on swim platform and in cockpit area is this normal or should i be concerned thanks
Spider Cracks
- Thread starter Mike16506
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Gelcoat cracks are normal.
Mike : Like people, as a boat gets older...it shows in it's appearence. In terms of gelcoat, over time it gets more brittle & as the boat flexes with use (or just by being exposed to the sun) it cracks...& this is quite normal. Like you, I was alarmed when our 2001 361 started doing this, however, I contacted Ward Richardson at Beneteau & I bought some gelcoat to match. With a little work from a good fiberglass technician, the cracks were a thing of the past. Of course, I'm fairly sure that more cracks will appear over time...but if plastic surgery is helpful for the folks in Hollyweird...the occasional proceedure can keep our girl from showing her age too. Yes...it's not easy staying beautiful...but as Michael Jackson would tell you, it's worth it to continue looking your best. Just be careful how much work gets done on your nose !!
Mike : Like people, as a boat gets older...it shows in it's appearence. In terms of gelcoat, over time it gets more brittle & as the boat flexes with use (or just by being exposed to the sun) it cracks...& this is quite normal. Like you, I was alarmed when our 2001 361 started doing this, however, I contacted Ward Richardson at Beneteau & I bought some gelcoat to match. With a little work from a good fiberglass technician, the cracks were a thing of the past. Of course, I'm fairly sure that more cracks will appear over time...but if plastic surgery is helpful for the folks in Hollyweird...the occasional proceedure can keep our girl from showing her age too. Yes...it's not easy staying beautiful...but as Michael Jackson would tell you, it's worth it to continue looking your best. Just be careful how much work gets done on your nose !!
Gelcoat cracks
We also have some on our 361. Funny part seems as though they showed up within the first couple of years. Also when we had her hauled and blocked. Not many more have appeared since then. Since we keep her in the water year round (we alternate between Georgetown and Baltimore summer to winter)I suspect the stress occurs based on how she gets blocked. Also a reason many people will slack off on the rigging to reduce stress on the hull when on land. Mike
We also have some on our 361. Funny part seems as though they showed up within the first couple of years. Also when we had her hauled and blocked. Not many more have appeared since then. Since we keep her in the water year round (we alternate between Georgetown and Baltimore summer to winter)I suspect the stress occurs based on how she gets blocked. Also a reason many people will slack off on the rigging to reduce stress on the hull when on land. Mike
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