Does peeling gelcoat on the inner hull indicate a potential problem

[Buickgsman]

I purchased this 1998 Four Winns Horizon RS 18' this past week, and I think I got a decent deal on it. It potentially has some engine issues, but I bought it assuming I would have to put an engine in it. The hull seems good. I have a few gel coat touch ups I need to do on the outside of the hull, but I was cleaning yesterday and was inside the engine compartment area, and also the ski locker and found some get coat peeling. On the sides of the ski locker a little, and also next to the fuel tank and also a little bit up around the engine mount boxes. Is peeling gelcoat, on interior surfaces something I should worry about? It appears that this stuff was rolled on at the factory to look a little better than just plain resin and fiberglass. Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[GA_Boater]

Nice boat pics. Got any of the gelcoat areas mentioned?

 

[jbcurt00]

Probably not gelcoat.

BilgKote maybe. And likely applied by an owner....

I'd bet 4Winns didnt roll anything on at the factory. Takes too long compared to spraying it. Which would have been done while the upper and lower hull were still seperate.....

 

[gm280]

Pictures are needed for a better answer. If the peeling coating is coming off because of possible surface wax in the polyester, then I can understand that and it isn't anything structural. However, if the coating is peeling because of water intrusion or something like that, then you may have something to worry about. So post some pictures so we can see what you are talking about. JMHO

 

[tpenfield]

I don't see peeling gel coat on either of those pictures that you posted. . .

 

[Buickgsman]

Here are a few pics of the peeling gelcoat. The last picture has me a little concerned. I can see some movement when I push on it. Not sure if it is loose gelcoat or something more. I'm afraid to really beat on it.

 

[GA_Boater]

Any soft spots in the deck? Poke around the peeled gelcoat to how bad the wood is underneath. And beat on it.

You might have some work ahead of you.

 

[tpenfield]

What is beneath the gelcoat in those pictures of the stringers (first 2 pics) ? Is it fiberglass coated wood? any bare wood showing? Can you get any movement when you press on it. If you tap it with a hammer. . . does it sound solid or not?

 

[Scott Danforth]

I see a full restoration ahead for you Buickgsman.

Here is a sticky in the restoration forum. look at link 14 http://forums.iboats.com/forum/boat...r/295740-how-to-s-and-other-great-information

 

[gm280]

I'll second that, Scott. I do believe you have a lot of work ahead of you. But the good thing about that is, you've come to the best place ever for help and assistance in doing that work. While we can actually pitch in with labor, we can guide you through everything it takes to make your boat nice and safe.

 

[Scott Danforth]

GM280, you mean while we can't actually pitch in with labor.....

 

[Buickgsman]

Well, you guys are scaring me now. The boat seems pretty solid. I looked into the peeling issue a little and it appears that there is a layer of fiberglass that didn't overlap onto the top of the stringers and it is peeling inward. This is on either side of the fuel tank. I wasn't able to tap on it very well because of the loose fiberglass. Some of it is coated with gel coat some isn't. This is also occurring in the ski locker. The floor to the ski locker is very solid. I also checked the rear of the boat just ahead of the transom and it seems solid except for one small spot just below the rear seat on the port side. Pics attached.

 

[Woodonglass]

Well you could always drill into the stringers and see what you get. If the shavings are good you just fill the holes with 3M 5200 and keep going. It could be a case of bad gelcoat application.

 

[tpenfield]

I would chip/scrape all of the loose stuff off to expose things a bit better. Drill a couple of holes into the stringers about an inch or 2 above where they meet the hull and see if you strike water. The color of the fiberglass on the stringers does not look promising and often gelcoat will peel in that fashion when the fiberglass becomes saturated with water. So there are some things to check out.

Also for about $30 you can get a moisture meter at HD or Lowes and stick the probes into an area of thin fiberglass or exposed wood to get a moisture reading of the stringers.

The boat appears to be of the modern 'clamshell' design and construction, which could be challenging if work needed to be done.

 

[gm280]

Honestly Buickgsman, I don't think anybody on these forums are trying to scare you, but more of inform you of similar thing we've all seen before. I can see things much clearer now then when I first joined this excellent boating site years ago. If you seriously love your boat, then do the inspection to see what is really going on. And the best way is to drill inspection holes like stated above to see what you have. JMHO

 

[Buickgsman]

Thanks for all the insight on my issues guys. I do appreciate it. Of course I'm hoping it's not as bad as it very well could be. I am borrowing a non contact moisture meter to try and get an idea of what's going on. I may even drill a few holes. If it looks like it needs major work I may just try and get it runNing and use it for a season. Then tear it apart for stringer repair next winter. The boat does present as mostly solid. I have been trying to figure out how water would have gotten into the stringers based on how the water drains.

 

[DeepBlue2010]

Stay away from moisture meters on fiberglass boats. They second to useless and can be very misleading. Core sample with a hole saw ... drill with the hole saw just enough to remove the fiberglass skin, then you will have a clear and representative view of what is behind. I am not sure what product you were referring to but if it is one of these products that promises to fix rotted wood and your stringers are severely decayed, I would strongly urge you to reconsider this plan.