Spider Cracking on a 62'

[kmcanney2]

Hi guys. New here and was hoping you could hep me with some spider cracking on a boat I am interested in buying. This is a 1 of a kind boat built by Starship Yachts with twin 12v92 detroit diesels. The one issue I have with the boat is some spider cracking. On both sides of the boat in the same location there is some serious spider cracking about 3 feet wide by 3 feet tall. I am assuming it was caused by stress to the hull but I have no idea. Would it be worth it to fix the cracking? or will it just come back? any ideas why this would happen?

The boat has been sitting for about 3 years now. I dont know if that would have anything to do with it.

 

[tdrudd87]

Re: Spider Cracking on a 62'

What is on the inside of the hull in that area? Since it is mirrored on both sides of the boat, it sounds like a high stress area that could stand reinforcing. It might be worthwhile to have a pro glass shop check it out.

Cool boat, any more pics?

Terry

 

[solar7647]

Re: Spider Cracking on a 62'

nice boat! Yes the cracks are fixable. Gel Coat cracks are caused by to much flex in that area of the hull.

They just need ground out to open them up and filled with new gel coat or a marine filler. Then painted.

If you Google search videos on gel coat repair you will see that it pretty simple.

Still a sweat boat!

 

[kmcanney2]

Re: Spider Cracking on a 62'

thanks for the info guys. Heres a little more info on the boat with some pics....It was a custom built boat that was incomplete at the factory(only cosmetics). It was built in 2000. The current owner is a builder and hasnt had the time or money to work on it so he is getting rid of it. It needs a lot of detailing work and a lot of finish work(winshild, carpeting, some paneling) but all in all it doesnt need much for what it is.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Spider Cracking on a 62'

There can be several reasons for that type of cracking, none of them make it an easy job to repair correctly.

Just filling and repainting will work.....for about as long as it takes to get it back on the water, so more needs to be done.

Since you said it was about the same on both sides of the hull, it is most likely due to insufficient support in that area, this means you need to get to the inside and inspect it to see what's different than in other sections. If its thin you need to add glass and possibly stiffeners for support.

With that done, the entire cracked area should be sanded down and if the cracks go into the laminate (not just the gel coat) you will need to continue sanding until they're gone. You may need to lay another layer of mat down before re-gel coating, it just depends on how much material you needed to remove.

 

[ocitsalocs]

Re: Spider Cracking on a 62'

what a cool boat man. I didn't realize how big it was until I referenced the basketball hoop next to haha. Good luck with the gel-coat situation man.

 

[kmcanney2]

Re: Spider Cracking on a 62'

There can be several reasons for that type of cracking, none of them make it an easy job to repair correctly.

Just filling and repainting will work.....for about as long as it takes to get it back on the water, so more needs to be done.

Since you said it was about the same on both sides of the hull, it is most likely due to insufficient support in that area, this means you need to get to the inside and inspect it to see what's different than in other sections. If its thin you need to add glass and possibly stiffeners for support.

With that done, the entire cracked area should be sanded down and if the cracks go into the laminate (not just the gel coat) you will need to continue sanding until they're gone. You may need to lay another layer of mat down before re-gel coating, it just depends on how much material you needed to remove.

Ya I was thinking I am going to have to do some structural work to get it fixed correctly. I will have to do a closer inspection when the boat gets here. Either way I dont mind doing some minor structural work but it sounds like I am going to have to find someone a little more experienced to do the outter glass work.

 

[kmcanney2]

Re: Spider Cracking on a 62'

what a cool boat man. I didn't realize how big it was until I referenced the basketball hoop next to haha. Good luck with the gel-coat situation man.

ya the boat is really huge but for a 62' its not nearly as bulky as most others. It was actually designed to be a fast 62'. 50+ mph. So even the cabin isnt too large