Cracks in gel coat couple spots.... Whats this caused from?

[Lukelona]

I have a few cracks in my gel coat on the bottom of the hull, its right around where the consoles are on the deck in the center, they are hairline cracks about 3-10 inches long. 2-3 right near each other.

is this just from age of the gel coat? Or is there structually something wrong causing this?

There is also some chips in the gel coat from 1cm-4cm (dime to quarter size).
Do these have to be repaired? will they cause leaks?

 

[StevenT]

Re: Cracks in gel coat couple spots.... Whats this caused from?

Luke, posting pictures is pretty much a requirement to get the most accurate help.

 

[Lukelona]

Re: Cracks in gel coat couple spots.... Whats this caused from?

http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag45/lukelona11/IMG_20130330_184752_zps6420256
c.jpg

These are hairline size cracks, camera kinda makes them look bigger I think.
Are these something of worry?

 

[Lukelona]

Re: Cracks in gel coat couple spots.... Whats this caused from?

? Anyone reading ?

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Cracks in gel coat couple spots.... Whats this caused from?

Here are some possibilities to consider . . .

those cracks look to be on the hull strakes . . .

Could this be from 'point stress' while loading the boat to the trailer?

See if there is a bulkhead or other structural members in the hull at those points, and if so, how are they?

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Cracks in gel coat couple spots.... Whats this caused from?

Looks like standard Flex cracking.

That being said .. its very hard to be conclusive. It Could be damaged hull core if it has any. It could be hard points from a bulkhead or deck. It could be from improper loading of the boat.

Without full inspection with a meter and some tapping around its hard to pinpoint.

YD.

 

[Lukelona]

Re: Cracks in gel coat couple spots.... Whats this caused from?

those cracks look to be on the hull strakes . . .

Could this be from 'point stress' while loading the boat to the trailer?

See if there is a bulkhead or other structural members in the hull at those points, and if so, how are they?

They are on the hull strakes, and right about where the hull would hit the bunks when loading.
There is a bulhead near the area, its what makes the seat base, it has some soft wood around the drain holes at deck level
(been repairing in another thread) but all glass is still in tact, only soft spots i found were near them holes.
Its all been repaired to drain properly and all area starting to rot was sealed with 5200 to prevent further rot.

It seems like it could be from loading, i gave them a light sanding with 100 grit and they disappeared almost completely.
The stringers have been core sampled and had bright dry wood shavings.

 

[Lukelona]

Re: Cracks in gel coat couple spots.... Whats this caused from?

Looks like standard Flex cracking.

That being said .. its very hard to be conclusive. It Could be damaged hull core if it has any. It could be hard points from a bulkhead or deck. It could be from improper loading of the boat.

Without full inspection with a meter and some tapping around its hard to pinpoint.YD.

1-What do you mean by hull core?
2-What is a "hard point"
3-I dont have a meter, but ive tapped with a jack handle with rubber end, it sounds solid and the same everywhere with support.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Cracks in gel coat couple spots.... Whats this caused from?

1-What do you mean by hull core?

Wood or some other material between the laminates. I have seen boats blow out from wet core freezing and Pop.

2-What is a "hard point".

When a bulkhead or stringer is placed directly to the hull or bottom .. Too tight and thus begins to fracture the glass from the inside out.

3-I dont have a meter, but ive tapped with a jack handle with rubber end, it sounds solid and the same everywhere with support.

Does it Sound the same in the crack locations .. or does it seem like your hitting concrete at the crack locations. If it sounds harder then you might have a Hard Point.

Some hard point repairs are not that bad .. just grind/glass the outside stress cracks and finish with gel. Some others are Very hard and you can see the hull deflecting from a bulkhead.

I think you just have your standard Hull flexing. If it were a Bulkhead then the cracks would be going up and down normally. You would know the difference.

YD.

 

[Lukelona]

Re: Cracks in gel coat couple spots.... Whats this caused from?

"Does it Sound the same in the crack locations .. or does it seem like your hitting concrete at the crack locations. If it sounds harder then you might have a Hard Point."

It sounds the same down the whole area, no "concete" areas that i noticed. I will double check asap though.

Is "hull flexing" a bad thing? or is it normal and just shows these light cracks from age?

 

[Lukelona]

Re: Cracks in gel coat couple spots.... Whats this caused from?

P.S Does anyone know what the strange looking barnicle looking things are on the bottom of the hull?
They dont look like what i picture a barnicle to look like, this almost looks like beehives, fungus, or idk ? lol

you can see them in the pics, they are white and have to be scraped off, and leave a mark where they were