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 Catalina 25 Specific Forum
 deteriorating gelcoat		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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cat78
1st Mate

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34 Posts
Initially Posted - 05/26/2008 :  17:13:47  Show Profile
My 78 C25 is starting to develop cracks in the gelcoat. I have seen this on other older fiberglass boats. They are not stress cracks it looks more like the gelcoat is shrinking or deteriorating like paint on an old house or antique piece of furniture. Has anybody had this problem and whats can be done about it
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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts
Response Posted - 05/26/2008 :  18:28:45  Show Profile
Most of us have... They're called "spider cracks" in the trade. In my experience (with a few boats) a common place is on an inside curve, such as between a coming or bulkhead and a seat. I've been told it's because the gelcoat was a little to thick there, and therefore shinks more than normal--who knows. Most attempts to repair them that I've seen looked worse than the cracks after a few years. To do a reasonably good repair, I suspect you need to open up the crack to maybe 1/16", apply a bead of gelcoat patch--as many layers as it takes to it above the surface--and then sand it down flush. From using the gelcoat patch in a tube from WM for some other kinds of dings, I'd say it should be possible to get a decent result.
Edited by - Dave Bristle on 05/26/2008 18:29:58
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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5908 Posts
Response Posted - 05/27/2008 :  08:35:44  Show Profile
I agree with Dave that most do-it-yourselfers don't have the skill to repair them neatly, and it's too expensive to hire it done. Usually they aren't structural. If they begin to look so bad that you can't live with them anymore, you can repair them and then paint the whole boat. The paint will cover the repairs. I haven't painted a big boat, but painted a small dinghy, and it turned out nicely with modern paints, which seem to be reasonably DIY-friendly.
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.