How much crack is too much crack? Aka holes in fiberglass topcoat

[mancho]

I guess it's called the top coat, I'm trying to learn and even bought a self patch kit, a whole whopping 3 sqr feet. woo hoo.

Problem is, me and larson have an issue. I keep seeing these PIT holes, black to the fiber cracks. Maybe crack is a poor definition, but their more pitty. Its more "chippy" ... if that makes any sense.

See this pic:

What it seems is the outer "Shell" of fiberglass just collapsed to an empty hole. I know, disgusting. What to do?

I temporarily put some packing (clear) tape over them and they are pretending to not leak. However, I fear rotting fiberglass and redo on the hull.

What to do?

 

[oops!]

Re: How much crack is too much crack? Aka holes in fiberglass topcoat

ok........

i am not likeing what i am seeing.

are you the first owner of the boat?
if so.....the larson has a lifetime warranty on the hull. and this is covered.

if you let this hole go uncovered......over time it will rot your transom.
this is not cosmetic....so dont them snow you.

if you bought this boat used........then you are s.o.l.

so here is what you do....

cheap way.....fill hole with 3m 5200 and forget about it.

proper way.......repair hole with "top coat".....the top coat is called gellcoat....and it is on every boat in the land.
the gellcoat is basically pigmented polyester resin......(but its more complicated than that)

search gellcoat repair on this forum........and you will have tons of answers.....or look in the sticky at the top of this forum.

cheers
oops

 

[mancho]

Re: How much crack is too much crack? Aka holes in fiberglass topcoat

yeah um not the first owner so it's my issue. I have the 3m product but I found a spot under the keel? the very bottom in the centeron the v.

I will have to do it the right way but can I just plug it with the 3m stuff for this season?

 

[BWT]

Re: How much crack is too much crack? Aka holes in fiberglass topcoat

I can't tell from the pic as it's not zoomed in all that much, but it sounds like a void (which 99% of all boats have them and they are an easy fix if you have / can get factory match gelcoat). Take a close-up and re-post. My guess is that there are a few of them scattered around; probably not a big deal, but more pics will say for sure.. If it's a trailer-able and only in the water for the weekend there isn't any need to do anything other than make sure to address it after the weekend. I'll be watching this post for updates...

Have a great 4th!

~BWT