'94 Bayliner 185 Capri Transom gelcoat cracks/concern

[ggundersen3]

I have a 1994 Bayliner Capri 185 with a Mercury/Force 120 hp OB. On the left/port side of the transom exterior there is 2 or 3 very fine, hairline verticle cracks in the gel coat running about 6-12" from top of the transom down. I'm attaching a photo. Is this normal? Is this caused by the weight of the 120hp OB? Should I just monitor this or does it need repair? I little background info, for a portion of this boats life (one summer) the trim and tilt was not working and the motor was manually lifted up and down and a block of wood held in place with tie wraps was used to hold the motor up for trailering. It since has had a transom saver installed on the trailer and is used anytime the boats not in the water. I'm looking for opinion/advice on those gel coat cracks. Thanks!

 

[mjf55]

Can you post a photo back out some, it tough to see exactly where it is. As you (probably know, since you have been here since 2007) that small gelcoat cracks are just a little flexing and usually not a cause of concern. Can you see the glass on the other side of that crack ( looking underneath or inside that area, with a mirror?) to see if it is solid.
Assuming (bad word, i know) there is no underlying damage that you can see, I would just monitor it and leave it be. Even if you fix the gelcoat crack, it may come back AND the color will be hard to match.
Just my thoughts........

 

[Knot Waiting]

Normal for the age. Don't worry about them now, just keep a little watch to make sure they don't get wider or anything.
They may not be pretty but neither are wrinkles on your body; however both are unavoidable with age and neither will hurt you.
Any attempt to fix them will only cost more money than you want to spend, likely make it worse looking, and will begin and endless journey towards insanity as more eventually show up elsewhere.

 

[redneck joe]

Can you stand on the motor and get any flex on the transom?

 

[ggundersen3]

Thanks! I'll just monitor the cracks in the gel coat and see if they change. They're very fine and hairline. Thanks for the reassurance that it's kinda normal.

 

[redneck joe]

See my post above. I had hairline cracks too.