Small Crack in Gelcoat

[Knot Waiting]

I noticed it while waxing my boat last weekend. Its cressent shaped and fairly small (about and inch) right near the keel. Hairline fracture but Im afraid that it will blow off a chunk while under-way. Any pointers on a quick repair so my problem wont spread? Im not looking for major surgery or anything. Thanks.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Small Crack in Gelcoat

I will send this to the restoration forum..... you will need a gelcoat repair kit and there are people who are pro's at doing this.

 

[oops!]

Re: Small Crack in Gelcoat

hi knot.....

the crack is no big deal......and im shocked its just one......man are you lucky !

just take a grinder to the gellcoat and grind (very lightly) the gellcoat till you have eliminated the crack......clean with aceitone....then paint some more gellcoat in the area......then sand that smooth and buff and polish.

look at jhonnys ....pics of work so far....he has detailed pics of the process. he used marine tex instead of gellcoat...

you will need to match the color of the gellcoat.

cheers
oops

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Small Crack in Gelcoat

Hello knot.

It could also be an air void or previous repair done incorrectly.

What you describe doesnt feel right somehow..

IMO the crack is going to be through the gel. So your gonna have to die grind ( or take a dremel bit ) and just grind it out to the glass. You might want to trace it with a marker b4 you grind so you dont loose track of it .

If its not too deep you could use Gelcoat with Cabosil ( + some finely cut up mat if it goes a little deeper ).

You should spot spray some gel after you sand your repair because its in the water. Water has a funny way of popping repairs that are not encapsulated.

Oops is right..its no big deal really.. just material knowledge m8.

YD.

 

[danond]

Re: Small Crack in Gelcoat

Knot - take a look at my site, I did a fair number of stress crack repairs and took pictures. Should help you out.