Top deck parallel / stress cracks

[fishbait58]

Bought our first boat. It has parallel/stress cracks or whatever you call them on the top deck. The boat is a little over 30 years old. I'm assuming this is something that needs to be fixed pretty soon. I would appreciate any info and how I go about repairing them. Thanks.


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[monte]

They appear to be just gelcoat cracking and de lamination from the pics. Chip away the immediate area, inspect the layup underneath for cracks. If no cracks just apply new gelcoat. You can buy a small touch up tin from the chandlers. Don't mix too much at once and try get the hardener ratio pretty close. I like to use some clear plastic sheeting for jobs like that. Clean the substrate well with acetone or similar thinner. Tape around the area so there's no excess gelcoat on the bits you don't want it. Slowly build up the coating, it may take a few mixes on some areas. When you reach the topcoat, lay the clear sheet (something a bit thicker than glad wrap, but glad wrap works) over the area and tape that down. You can use the sheet to carefully shape the gelcoat flush with the surrounding area. Let it dry, remove tape and jobs done. If it doesn't work out as planned you can sand with wet and dry paper and then cut and polish to match