Gel coat crack

[j.a.g]

hi everyone I am new on here. I just bought a 1988 Sea ray seville. I had to relpace the drain plug assembly because I put the plug in to tight. when I replaced it I noticed some cracks in the gel coat. I am not sure if they appered from me trying to get the old plug out or if they were alrady there. Anyway is this something that I should be concerned about?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Gel coat crack

Welcome to iBoats!
I doubt that replacing your Garboard Drain caused those cracks. What kind of boat is this? Year, MFG, Length, Power Plant etc.. We need more details.

 

[j.a.g]

Re: Gel coat crack

It is a 1989 18 foot Searay Seville. Is has a 4.3 liter engine with a merc alpha 1 out drive. I thought that it could have happened when i was trying to get the plug out because I was wrenching on it pretty good and I also tried heating it up with a torch.

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: Gel coat crack

The cracks don't look that bad to me, just cosmetic. I wouldn't even worry about repairing them....just keep an eye on them for the season.

 

[j.a.g]

Re: Gel coat crack

Thanks. That is what I was going to do. I just wanted other peoples opinion.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Gel coat crack

When you had the garboard drain out what did the wood inside the transom look like?

 

[j.a.g]

Re: Gel coat crack

It seemed fine. I put my finger in as far as I could and the wood wasn't soft at all. The wood was wet from water coming out of the hole. I put a fan on it to dry it out before I replaced the garboard plug.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Gel coat crack

Did you put any 3M 4200 Sealant in there for the installation?

 

[j.a.g]

Re: Gel coat crack

No, I used multi caulk marine sealant.It said that it was for use above or below the water line. I was going to use 3M 4200 but the guy at West Marine told me to go with the multi caulk.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Gel coat crack

Yeah, that's good stuff too! Just wanted to make sure you used some kind of semi-permanent sealant when you reinstalled it. Should be good to go. Just keep an eye on those surface cracks and make sure they don't get any larger.

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: Gel coat crack

The multi caulk is okay....don't worry about it.

Happy boating....

 

[BWT]

Re: Gel coat crack

The cracks are a little odd; don't know that I would be overly concerned about them, but I would do a couple of quick things. One Q, are you in a climate that freezes in the Winter? Also, take a wooden mallet (or a piece of wood) and tap the transom listening to the sound it makes. If it's a tight crisp solid sound then breath a sigh of relief. If it's a low, hollow thud, grab a cocktail and do some research on the forum . More than likely the cracks are caused from the screws (the hole was pre-drilled too small). Looks like you did a good job with the bedding compound. Good seam around the fitting as well as the screw heads. (Give a pat on the back

 

[j.a.g]

Re: Gel coat crack

The cracks are a little odd; don't know that I would be overly concerned about them, but I would do a couple of quick things. One Q, are you in a climate that freezes in the Winter? Also, take a wooden mallet (or a piece of wood) and tap the transom listening to the sound it makes. If it's a tight crisp solid sound then breath a sigh of relief. If it's a low, hollow thud, grab a cocktail and do some research on the forum . More than likely the cracks are caused from the screws (the hole was pre-drilled too small). Looks like you did a good job with the bedding compound. Good seam around the fitting as well as the screw heads. (Give a pat on the back

Thanks. I tapped around the transom and everything sounded fine.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Gel coat crack

Hiyas Jag..

I also think your cracks are cosmetic and not structural . I agree with above about the mounting screws caused it over time and not your fault. Basically any screws going through gelcoat should be slightly countersunk before the install from the factory..but rarely happens.

Just.. one last thing. I dont know if it is a big issue or not ( mebbe someone else has better info on this ) but are those Pherson you used ?

If so..( just me here ) I would probably get the Proper bit and remove them and replace them with SS screws.

They are normally used in wooden hull construction and would be a bit worried if you ever had to remove them in the future.

I might be paranoid here..just never seen them used in this application.

YD.

 

[j.a.g]

Re: Gel coat crack

I am not sure what Pherson screws are. I used #8 1 inch bronze screws.

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: Gel coat crack

I could go for a learning experience here too. What are Pherson Screws??

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Gel coat crack

Guys I think it's a Spelling issue here. I'm pretty sure YD is referring to the Silicon Bronze screws used in Wood Boat building like these...

They are Called Frearson Wood Screws






#10 Silicon Bronze Wood Screws Frearson Flat Head

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: Gel coat crack

Ahhhhh, (light came on)....now I've used the silicon bronze before, but never heard the term Frearson before....Amazing what you can learn here. Thanks Wood.

 

[j.a.g]

Re: Gel coat crack

Guys I think it's a Spelling issue here. I'm pretty sure YD is referring to the Silicon Bronze screws used in Wood Boat building like these...

They are Called Frearson Wood Screws






#10 Silicon Bronze Wood Screws Frearson Flat Head

Yeah that is what I used but a #8. Is this going to cause an issue?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Gel coat crack

They are a little "Softer" than Stainless Steel and MIGHT break off when removing. To be on the SAFE side you MIGHT want to replace them with Stainless like YD suggested.