How common are gelcoat cracks in a boat?
 

I've seen some older boats having hairline cracks in the gelcoat on the inside corners of the cockpit and around the fairing area. They seem to just be cosmetic cracks in the gelcoat and not an actual failure area in the fiberglass. Is this real common? Do all boats develop this over time?

-Steve

Re: How common are gelcoat cracks in a boat?
 

I have a few minor crack as you describe on my 1995 Wellcraft Nova. I was told they are cosmetic...hope so.

Re: How common are gelcoat cracks in a boat?
 

They are called "spyders" in the gelcoat. Some brands have them in evey boat and others not a one.

Re: How common are gelcoat cracks in a boat?
 

Gel Coat cracks are common on everything fiberglass. Its just the fiberglass flexing and causing a cosmetic crack in the gel coat or paint. Most are not structual at all. I use to build and fly airplanes made from fiberglass and all the stress cracks in the paint were just that.....stress cracks and nothing to be concerned about.

Re: How common are gelcoat cracks in a boat?
 

I have heard of my Wellcarft referred to as "Wellcrack" very common they tell me.

Re: How common are gelcoat cracks in a boat?
 

That's good news

Re: How common are gelcoat cracks in a boat?
 

So what brands don't crack? My 1990 Fountain has 'em. Enough age and enough "flying time" and I bet they all do.

Re: How common are gelcoat cracks in a boat?
 

I only have a few. I have pounded my boat pretty hard too.

Re: How common are gelcoat cracks in a boat?
 

Baja I had cracked on front deck and around windshield but think it was from walking up there. Well probably was that since it moved 1/8 and cracked when stepping on it, was a small Baja though.. Powerplay I have doesn't creak or crack anywhere....

Re: How common are gelcoat cracks in a boat?
 

Fiberglass is flexible, gelcote is not.

Re: How common are gelcoat cracks in a boat?
 

I have run my AT in the confused waters of the Chesapeake for 270 hours and not a crack to be found!! Not bashing other boats, they are pretty common in all makes including AT's I saw a race version with a few around the engine hatch corners. Not structural though.

Hydro, "Wellcrack" LMAO, My brother had a 95, 23 Nova and he ran the death out of it.....talk about cracks!!! It still floats and supports a 550 horse BB!! :p

Re: How common are gelcoat cracks in a boat?
 

My Cig has them (1990 Cafe). When I painted it last winter we repaired them. Some are still coming back, but not as bad.

Re: How common are gelcoat cracks in a boat?
 

I've seen spider cracks in every older boat I've seen, some worse than others. I hired a fiberglass guy to fix all the dings in my Minx. I later decided to have him do all the minute spider cracks also. He said the only way to fix them is to router them out and repair.

Re: How common are gelcoat cracks in a boat?
 

If it is a Velocity it is considered completely normal. I think it is supposed to be part of the graphics.

Re: How common are gelcoat cracks in a boat?
 

Gel coat is extremely brittle... and the thicker the gel.. the more it cracks... in corners where the gel gets sprayed on thicker it tends to crack more too...... :(