Spider Cracking

[HoosierPoppa5.0]

Hello everyone, I have a 1988 Celebrity 190V 5.0 AlfaOne. Nothing glamorous, but she's my baby. I was getting her ready and noticed that there was several spots in the lower bow and at the winshield and also around the outdrive. I dont know enough to know if it is serious or cosmetic. They are not large cracks maybe paper thin (if that). Should I worry? If so how should I fix, Body man at work said to pencil grind them out and fill and then gelcoat (simplified version). Is this stress cracking or what? I dont need to find a leak while Im on lake michgan Any tips? Thank's in advance......

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Spider Cracking

They may be nothing to worry about, but check the transom for rot, cracks there can be a safety issue, the cracks by the windshield aren't as critical. If you've owned it for a long time and these cracks just showed up in the last year, then there could be some structural repairs needed.

 

[HoosierPoppa5.0]

Re: Spider Cracking

No I just got her this year. And the boat SEEMS to be rock solid, but the transom was the big worry. How could I tell? I see no signs of ANY rot anywhere in the boat, except for a backer in the front bow seat area. looking at the transom from inside the engine compartment the wood looks like its in great shape. No rot noticed at all.

 

[surlyjoe]

Re: Spider Cracking

its prolly just surface stress cracking in the gelcoat, keep an eye on it, but its prolly nothing to worry about if water doesn't pool directly on them.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Spider Cracking

Use a hammer to check for transom rot. Looks don't tell you anything about the soundness of the wood but sound will. Tap all over the inside of the transom. If you find places where you get more of a "thud" sound rather than a "rap" sound you may want to carefully drill some holes to check for rot. If you have it you can almost trace the extent of it with a piece of chalk or crayon just by the sound. Rot usually starts around holes drilled through the transom that were not properly sealed (outdrive cutout, transom cap & other bolts & stuff).