Gelcoat cracks.

[Gosub]

Hi All,
A 2000 Four Winns180 Horizon I'm looking at, with a view to buy, has some cracking on the gelcoat of the cap. The cracks have been there for some years according to the current owner.

My question is, has there been more serious damage done by leaving the cracks un-repaired and if I buy the boat should I tackle them immediately?

Thanks for looking.
Steve.View attachment 130817View attachment 130818View attachment 130819

 

[Bondo]

Re: Gelcoat cracks.

Ayuh,... That's some Serious issues,....

Find another boat to buy.....

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Gelcoat cracks.

Yes, you have some underlying issues there. He should have fixed it years ago and chose to neglect his boat. Buyers market, move on to the next one. Post some pics of the over all boat and I might have a different opinion at a decent price. Good luck.

 

[oops!]

Re: Gelcoat cracks.

thats not gellcoat.

its bondo painted over.....

the long cracks are the reason they tried to repair it...

the long cracks are called crazing, caused by (in most cases, gellcoat pooling, too thick) impact.
the damage was them bondoed over, and painted.

this is a prime example of why auto body materials have no place on a boat.

this is one of my pet peeves.
let me start of by saying i really respect auto body gurus.
but when it comes to a boat.....get your auto materials out of there.....use proper fiberglass materials.

rant cut short, because no one on the forum needs to get blasted.

 

[Gosub]

Re: Gelcoat cracks.

Thanks for the replies. Other than the cracks in the cap - and a backfiring issue when cold - the boat is in great condition. No damage under the rub rail level, upholstery perfect, canvas great, etc. My question is: has serious damage been done by leaving the damage over years, and if it's repaired will all be well? Can it be properly repaired after being left for so long?

I live in Spain and look at the US boat market with huge envy. Many fantastic looking boats for sale at great prices. It's just not the same here. They have a strange outlook on things. The best way to explain is the attitude of the local marina. They put up the berthing prices and because they were so high, boats started to move to other marinas. Because there were less boats the marina hiked the prices again to maintain income levels.... so of course more boats left. Now the marina has many, many empty berths and the marina managers still screw those that really don't want to leave. Welcome to the Spanish mindset. Oh and there are no slips either. Launching a small boat from a trailer is ILLEGAL. Our proximity to north Africa makes us a drugs and immigrant hot-spot. Even for a small boat it's marina berthing or nothing.

This is the same with boat owners: "I'm in financial trouble and need 20,000 to get out of it. I'll sell the boat for 20,000 even if it's only worth 15,000" The trouble is that they really believe that will happen and will NOT reduce prices. The market here is really bad when it should be great to buy a boat now.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Gelcoat cracks.

Yes, it can be fixed . . . the damage looks to be from impacts, so expect a bit more than gelcoat repair.