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

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

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

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.

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

That's good news

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

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

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....

Fiberglass is flexible, gelcote is not.