5 replies to this topic

[Robmoo]

I have hairline cracks in the gelcoat on the bow from the trim down to below the waterline. I'm wondering how it happened and what I need to doo about it. Since these cracks are all around the trailer tow point and I haven't hit anything I'm wonder if I'm strapping the boat down too tight or not tight enough. Will water get in these tiny cracks and damage the hull? Can a couple of simple wax jobs seal the cracks up enough to keep water out? I garage the boat so it only sees water when I'm actually out using it.




Also, I've notice during a couple of 360's that the left pump revs high but doesn't seem to catch as fast as the right. Also when I run the left seem to run at about 300rpm higher than the right. I've looked at my props and the both have some chips in them. Am I right to assume that this is due to cavitation? I may replace the pumps and props over the winter. I've got to start doing my homework to see how much parts cost.

Thanks,

Rob

[Kevin Leclair]

As far as your gelcote problems go this post, http://seadoosportbo...wtopic_312.html, might be of some help.

[Robmoo]

The cracks are too extensive. They grew much worse on the trailer trip home. They are beyond my ability to repair and I still don't know why they happened.

[tiggerman]

I would like to see some pics of it for sure. It could be purely cosmetic from the laminated glas flexing or there could be structural damage underneath. Since the crack is where it is, it is likely the flexion causing the problem. I don't know how you would get inside the hull there and add reinforcement, short of creating a porthole to get inside. You could do this under the sunseat pad.
If flexing is the case, unless reinforcing is done, the cracks would likely come back. Best thing now is to consult someone who works on gelcoat all the time and get their take on what is happening.

[Robmoo]

The cracks are opening up some now. If I put it in the water I'm fairly certain water will get at the fiberglass. I was looking at the area through the ski locker door with a work light. I don't see any damage up in that area. One of the cracks is a good 3 feet now. I'll try to post some picts tomorrow. I drove on some very bumpy roads 2 trips ago. I don't think the boat was tightly strapped to the front post of the trailer. I wonder if it didn't do some damage to the gelcoat and the under-lying fiberglass. Perhaps I just didn't notice the cracks until this latest trip. The 130mile trip up to the lake probably just made the gelcoat cracks expand from the weakened area.

[tiggerman]

It is possible the trip did it, but doubtful unless you didn't have the boat strapped down well. Still, it is doubtful that this is the cause. However, a good fiberglas man is going to be able to tell you what's going on, and what its going to take to cure it.