Gel Coat Cracks. - Archive-Prop-shaft-thruster-rudder-keel-hull-bot paint - Archive - Catalina 42 Discussion Forum - Message Board - Yuku

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Gel Coat Cracks.

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oscar	Gel Coat Cracks.		Lead	[-]
Posts: 475 06/06/06 19:51:58	Tags : None With hull number 76 I'm near the head of the pack...towards "classic plastic" classification....... Lady Kay has developed a pretty good list of gelcoat cracks. The ones that concern me most are in the "creases" around the cockpit. Most noticeably where the coaming meets the cabin....all the way from deck to the "back rest", both sides. Around the back end of the coaming. In the floor in the forward head, also in the "fold"...a few other spots. Again, the first ones are the most noticeable. I'm trying to decide: 1: Whether to be concerned.....structural vs cosmetic. 2: What, if anyting to do about it. (See 1). Anyone else having these thoughts (yet?). Lady Kay, C42 # 76, 3CWing.
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melelana	Re: Gel Coat Cracks.	#1	[url]	[-]
Posts: 329 06/07/06 04:17:50	Oscar, Not normally a structural issue. Gelcoat cracks show up at stress risers (corners) and at impact sites. Generally, reinforced polyester laminates are more tolerant of flex than the gelcoat is. Over time, microcracking within a resin rich laminate (wet layup) makes the boat slightly more flexible (not to a level that causes concern). Add in buffing and polishing that makes the gelcoat thinner over time and cracking becomes more common. If cracking shows up in the middle of a panel, look for a stress riser behind the panel. Could be a bulkhead or other interior structure. Overall, gelcoat cracking is like wrinkles on our bodies - evidence of "experience". Some folks go after them with dremel tools and gelcoat repair kits, but that's expensive and there's a real art to matching faded gelcoat. At some point it's time for th $20,000 awlgrip "face lift". Bottom line, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. Larry Melelana Catalina 42 # 175 1990 3cbn, wk Solomons, MD
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mjk	Gel Coat Cracks	#2	[url]	[-]
Posts: 43 06/08/06 16:00:01	Had the same "cracks" and had them repaired five years ago. Most came from shipping the boat from VT to FL on a low-boy with hydraulic arm pads. We knew she would flex a bit on the trip and expected the cracks. All were cosmetic. When a glass guy ground them out he found they were shallow and nothing more. Worst cracks we have are on the transom around the flat cut where the boarding ladder is mounted and on the piece running by the back stay chainplate and across to the other side. Had that area repaired several times. It's caused by the stress placed on the inadequate chainplate backing plate which is the same size inside as the outside piece. The only permanent solution is to cut through the step and have a larger and heavier backing plate installed. The problem was solved in later versions by beefier factory installed backing plates. Anyway, the cracks you describe are unsightly but not threatening to structure. On the deck is of more concern because if the cracks are deep it will allow water to penetrate into the deck core and eventually start a rot cycle. MJK Splash Dancer II # 94
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