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Gel coat hairline crack
#13261570
08/27/19 06:04 PM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 909
Alumacraft 14
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 909 |
I have 3 very small hairline cracks in the gel coat. They are the width of a hair about 1 to 1.5 inches in length and dont look to be deep. These cracks sit below the water line of the boat. Should I fix these or leave them be? My boat stays trailer in the garaged when being store. I believe these cracks happened due to a light impact from wave action against a wooden dock support. If I were to fix them I would be dremeling them out, filling with gel coat and sanding it down to a buff. I have done it before but only on much larger cracks.
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Re: Gel coat hairline crack
[Re: Alumacraft 14]
#13262000
08/28/19 01:46 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,439
rb7764
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,439 |
Fix them as you describe if they bother you. Otherwise, they are harmless.
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Re: Gel coat hairline crack
[Re: Alumacraft 14]
#13262299
08/28/19 01:17 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,649
spankyttx
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,649 |
well heck, i guess i look at things a little differently. i don't see them as harmless, especially under the waterline. the gel-coat is the water proofer, fiberglass resin is not waterproof and does absorb moisture. i think cracks under the waterline would need to be sealed at the least
LI-SI-WI-NWI
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Re: Gel coat hairline crack
[Re: spankyttx]
#13262663
08/28/19 05:40 PM
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 14,084
Stump jumper
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 14,084 |
well heck, i guess i look at things a little differently. i don't see them as harmless, especially under the waterline. the gel-coat is the water proofer, fiberglass resin is not waterproof and does absorb moisture. i think cracks under the waterline would need to be sealed at the least You are correct that gel cost is the sealer but on a boat that is trailered the OP will never see a problem over the life of the boat. He probably would not even if it was stored in a marina in the water. I had my Ranger for almost 30 years. Over the time I owned it I got numerous chips and scratches on the bottom. Some received fairly quick attention and others did not. I am sure there were some under the bunk boards that I never saw. Never had any issues with the fiberglass at all.
2200 Bay Champ/200 Mercury Optimax 2017 Tundra TSS 4x4 Crewmax 5.7L
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Re: Gel coat hairline crack
[Re: Alumacraft 14]
#13263009
08/28/19 10:31 PM
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,439
Gamblinman
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,439 |
Most hairline cracks are through the clear gelcoat. There is a colored gelcoat below it that will act as a waterproofer Unless you see black, or red, or woven roving, you should be fine.
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Re: Gel coat hairline crack
[Re: Alumacraft 14]
#13264250
08/29/19 11:05 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,439
rb7764
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,439 |
My bad - I missed the below the waterline part. Yes, they need to be repaired then.
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Re: Gel coat hairline crack
[Re: Alumacraft 14]
#13265376
08/30/19 08:52 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 28
J IRWIN
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 28 |
IF THE CRACKS ARE IN THE "ON PAD" OR "RUNNING SURFACE" YOU MAY WANT TO FIX. SOUNDS LIKE THEY ARE LIGHT FLEX CRACKS WHICH SHOULD ONLY BE IN THE GEL COAT SURFACE. YOU CAN GRIND ALL OF THE GEL COAT OFF THE BOTTOM OF A BOAT AND WATER WILL NOT AFFECT OR SOFTEN THE HARDNESS OF FIBERGLASS. I HAVE FIXED A LOT OF HOLDING TANKS THAT HAD NO GEL COAT. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME PICS . jfiberglass@sbcglobal.net
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Re: Gel coat hairline crack
[Re: Alumacraft 14]
#13268313
09/03/19 01:05 AM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 909
Alumacraft 14
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 909 |
Thanks all. I went ahead and took care of them, they weren't deep. But I feel better knowing they are repaired.
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