Hi all
I was wondering if someone could give me a hint or an explanation as to what would be the cause of gelcoat cracks in the corners of steps. It is a small 20ft daycruiser with three steps. I would assume that the cracks have developed due to stepping on them countless times but then again, I have read from somewhere that the gelcoat cracks develop on the "stretch" side of the laminate....which in this case would be on the contrary to the force applied by stepping on them...so I'm a bit confused. Could it be some lateral force flexing the hull? Or perhaps a big bang on the keel/bottom of the hull since the steps section of the deck is sitting on the stringers grid?
I was wondering if someone could give me a hint or an explanation as to what would be the cause of gelcoat cracks in the corners of steps. It is a small 20ft daycruiser with three steps. I would assume that the cracks have developed due to stepping on them countless times but then again, I have read from somewhere that the gelcoat cracks develop on the "stretch" side of the laminate....which in this case would be on the contrary to the force applied by stepping on them...so I'm a bit confused. Could it be some lateral force flexing the hull? Or perhaps a big bang on the keel/bottom of the hull since the steps section of the deck is sitting on the stringers grid?