Gelcoat cracks transom saver

How to repair gelcoat, fiberglass boat repair boating magazine. Within the first year of owning my boat i had to weld cracks in the transom from the motor bouncing around whenever i hit a pothole or any. This entry was posted in frequently asked questions, gelcoat and tagged application of gelcoat, applying gelcoat, gel coat application, gelcoat application, how to apply gelcoat, spraying gelcoat on january 5, 2011 by jason revie. It can crack, peel, blister, change color, wrinkle or distort.

When to tell if a fiberglass bass boat transom is badspider. Gelcoat doesnt flex at the same rate as the underlying fiberglass layer fiberglass is more flexible, so stress cracks appeared all over. If you have used gelcoat on your boat, then you may find that removing any screws from the decking will result in an extralarge and visible hole. You should have about 10 to 15 minutes of working time after adding the catalyst before it starts to harden and is no longer fluid.

With the passage of time, unprotected gelcoat will oxidize and eventually take on a chalky appearance. I got a repair estimate, and negotiated with the seller to deduct that amount from the sale price and a deal was struck. A lot of boat owners get very upset when they see these. Fits the new v8 and v6 four stroke mercury outboards. It is common to see on older boston whaler boats that some cracks appear in the gel coat layer in certain areas of the hull which may have some bending stresses on them such as at the transom and where the gel coat layer is thicker than elsewhere. Gelcoat is a liquid that hardens to form a thick layer thats used to protect fiberglass and give it a shiny, smooth finish. The diagnosis is, the transom is bad and needs to be replaced soon. Repairing hairline cracks and how to do repair gelcoat magicezy. Im pretty sure the seat pan is gonna have to come out soon to be reinforced. Used normal wear, low prices to fix your boat make it new. The plan was to do the repair when i pulled the boat out for the winter. White gel coat, precolored gel coat, clear gel coat, neutral tintable gelcoats.

Repairing hairline cracks and crazing in gelcoat is a pain in the transom, which explains why most people dont do it. This show covers how to repair fiberglass stress cracks on your boat using polyester resin. Also, older fiberglass boats tend to have a thicker application of gelcoat which means they are more susceptible to cracking. While it is a pretty complicated job, replacing the transom. Spider cracks in gelcoat moderated discussion areas. A fiberglass layup that is too wet, or has too much resin will crack also. Spider or structural cracks around transom boat design net. The other is to carefully sand the gel coat down to the glass and resin then apply a new gel coat. No way are the cracks in the op caused by trailering, pot holes, transom savers or the anc. Nov 11, 2007 cracks in gelcoat that ressemble a spiders web. Apr 02, 2019 gelcoat is the coating sprayed up against a highly polished mold at the beginning of the fiberglass layup process.

I have cracks around my upper motor mounting bolts. Cracked fiberglass near transom grady white boat owners. How to fix crazing in gelcoat, also known as spider cracks or stress cracks which. The floors seem okay, and the motor mounts are okay. He felt they were cosmetic and recommended repairing the gelcoat. Just purchased this sea chaser 186 for fishing the bays. Long term, the plywood in the transom looses strength and becomes very flexible, allowing the gelcoat and fiberglass to crack. When the transom loses its stiffness, so does the outboard motor.

Like rex mentioned hairline gelcoat cracks arent much of a concern, i would keep an eye on it and go fishing. Those 4 strokes are a little heaver than the 2 strokes of the 90s. Previous episodes go over other types of fiberglass. It is about 4 inches on either side of the motor mounts. Any fill done externally is just a temporary fix, whether gelcoat, resin, glue etc. Stress cracks, spider cracks, and hairline cracks in the decks of older boats are, of course, not rare. Fill the repair slightly higher than the surrounding surface to allow for sanding. At that time the surveyor pointed out some very small cracks in the transom gelcoat around the rim of the exhaust. While it is a pretty complicated job, replacing the transom core isn. This process results in the smooth, mirrorlike finish typical of new boats. Trailering can be a weak transom killer also, make sure to strap down solid and use the transom saver, and watch for the big potholes. Applying gelcoat to fiberglass is simple if you have the right tools and take care to.

Most people are unwilling to have a large and unsightly screw hole in their boat deck, so it is clear that it needs to be removed before it can spread into a crack in the gelcoat. These factors have a cumulative effect on structural failure. Cnc machined from a solid block of billet aluminum, we have no welds to rust or crack. If your boat has a case of dock rash it could be time to think about repairing and refreshing your gelcoat. If the transom checks solid, just patch the cracks in the finish. From the pics it doesnt appear to be a 3 piece build, hence just remove the cap, treat, seal and refix. They are all around the seats, cooler, rod box, and trolling motor. Mx1825 gel coat fix skeeter boats indepth outdoors. Hairline crack on transom moderated discussion areas. I never go out in rough weather and have taken it very easy. No matter how careful you are, fiberglass boats collect dings and gouges over time. Cracks in gelcoat at the transom january 23rd, 2011, 05. Aug 27, 2012 i have lots of hair line cracks in the gelcoat.

Feb 19, 2014 steve cockerill of rooster sailing makes a basic repair to the gelcoat on a laser transom. Im almost finished with the interior and a pretty much brand new engine. Boat paint job fiberglass repair transom awlgrip gelcoat. Our 15 year old 16sl has developed a hairline crack on the transom.

Use a fine grit sandpaper to smooth out the cracks and prep the surface of your boat. Stainless steel spring and pin assemblies are machined in house. Aside from the durable shiny luster gelcoat adds to any fiberglass boat, most owners know little more than wash and wax it frequently. Sometimes, theyre merely cosmetic, meaning they dont penetrate the gelcoat. Unfortunately i did not spot these before cracks before i purchased.

Transom gelcoat stains i know toilet bowl cleaner will take it off, but you dont want to get it on anything painted or non stainless and wash it within it a few seconds of putting it on. Moisture can also penetrate the transom skin at hardware fasteners, around drain holes and io cutouts. The very basic reason for stress cracks in a gelcoat finish is the hull or surface that the gelcoat is bonded to flexed or moved an amount beyond the point that the gelcoat can flex, so it just cracks, because the gelcoat has no structural bearing attributes. The first cnc machined billet aluminum transom saver. Crazing is an incredibly common issue on modern fiberglass boats, and although it usually starts off as a matter of cosmetics, in severe cases these surface cracks can grow, deepen, and eventually threaten your boats. Apply gelcoat use a small wood or plastic putty knife to spread the gelcoat smoothly over the gelcoat repair.

Mar 05, 2017 i had an unfortunate incident with the boat which created some cosmetic gelcoat damage to the underside of the vessel. Feb 23, 2016 im pretty sure the stress cracks are from rough water. There are many ways to repair cracks in fiberglasswhich ones the best. Gelcoat used to patch existing gelcoat, fiberglass repairs, and for new construction and projects. I spent a little time looking for a gelcoat repair shop near me that had a. Its been repaired before, the welds look good but have cracked again. Select durable boat transom saver and boat trailer tiedowns from cabelas that protect your boat finish during transportation. Transom saver for the new 4 stroke mercury v8 and v6. If you are looking to do some diy gelcoat repairs, this brief primer will help achieve adequate repair. Since 1968, west marine has grown to over 250 local stores, with knowledgeable associates happy to assist. Gelcoat is a fiberglass resin that has had a pigment added to it. O would thoroughly inspect the transom core material for water saturation or rot. Ive fixed all my rotten wood issues so im ready to fix the cracks. The lower 14 of the transom was rotted, allowing the outer skin to flex.

As far as a transom saver goes, i use them on trailer boats but its important they are used properly. Total trailering is less than 200 miles on mostly smooth roads and always have used the my wedge. Many of these are minor and limited to the gelcoat that smooth, shiny outer layer of the. If you dont end up replacing the transom, those cracks will need chased and properly sealed up with 5200 to prevent water intrusion. Moisture penetrates the plywood core, leading to delamination and eventual rot. Im studying to become a ship engineer so i only get to do a little now and then,more in the summer. Gel coat resin is not particularly flexible, and in thick areas the resin has a tendency to crack.

The loads by the outboard are likely being transmitted symmetrically to both corners of the transom and the structure is symmetrical too. They look like superficial cracks in the gelcoat or paint cant tell what it is. Im looking for some advice on how to prevent my transom saver from. May 23, 20 this will take more time, but you will have to perform the job as early as possible or risk incurring higher repair costs for other parts of the boat that may be affected by a water breach. The previous owner never used a transom saver, which i know is a hotly debated topic. This premium marine grade gel coat may be as gecloat for boats, gelcoat for pools or many other applications. They may be stressing even over the road some areas where the gel coat is very thick, like inside corners etc. All the cracks except for in the transom area i just noticed it the other day are spreading.

I am doing lots of reserch and want to do this rjght so i need to be clear on which processes to. The engine bounces and puts tremendous stress on the transom or splash well and deck interface. More then just stress cracks below the water line youtube. Crazing is an incredibly common issue on modern fiberglass boats, and although it usually starts off as a matter of cosmetics, in severe cases these surface cracks can grow, deepen, and eventually threaten your boats structural integrity. The topic of gelcoat is often a mystifying subject for boat owners. This resin can be used as a protective surface over the top of fiberglass, or simply as a finish, much like you might varnish a piece of outdoor furniture. If so cracks in that area are often from trailering with out a transom saver support between the lower unit and the trailer. I bought a repowered 2000 25 cc in april of last year. It is hard to make evaluations from such small photos, but if one of the cracks is suspected to be more than just a gelcoat issue, then the other one should be treated the same way. How to decide if you should refurbish or sell your boat power. Jun 24, 2011 long term, the plywood in the transom looses strength and becomes very flexible, allowing the gelcoat and fiberglass to crack. The work was to peel off the top middle of the transom and use a piece of 3 x 3 fiberglass to tie it to the core structure of the transom. I have a twin axle trailer and also only tow with a transom saver from. With time, it is possible that gelcoat can become cracked, simply through wear and tear or a specific incidence of damage.