Gel Coat cracks

Kewlboarder27r · Soul Rider Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 497 City: Mound

Well the 05 Launch 24 SSV i am looking at has "Thermal Cracks" in the gel coat is this a big deal and easy to fix because they would fix it either now or at the end of the year

grapic · Outlaw Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Posts: 192

Gel cracks are pretty common, easy to fix, and most gel cracks are cosmetic only. The challenge is keeping them fixed. Good problem solving to find the root cause is critical. A previous boat I owned was repaired twice under warrenty. Most of the cracks came back within the first few months.

Gel coat is brittle and will crack if flexed. I gel is sprayed to thick, mixed improperly, to hot or cold it can crack. Cracks can also come from stress on the fiberglass, around towers, rub rails, under seats are common places. If the source of the stress is not corrected the crack will return. Make sure the dealer knows the root cause and takes corrective action and you will be fine.

Kewlboarder27r · Soul Rider Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 497 City: Mound

That makes me feel better because this was the dealers sons demo boat. They are getting it in the body shop soon to fix the boat then delivering it sometime late this week or next week. Is there a differance between Gel cracks and "theremal Cracks". Hopefullt the dealer will come through with this and not try to bend us over.