C-22 gunnel gel coat crazing/cracking

Sneaks

I've had continual problems ranging from crazing to an outright crack in the gel coat on the gunnel at the joint between the cabin and the gunnel itself, located between the nonskid and the cabin. The factory authorized repair of the starboard crack during the first year of the warranty but crazing isn't considered a warranty issue.

The latest FactoryGuy tells me that crazing at that joint has been an issue for over 10 years, yet it isn't considered a design defect either.

Am I alone with this recurring problem? (Both port and starboard gunnels now have gel coat crazing going on) Is there a permanent cure?

I'd seriously like to know if others have this same issue and what steps they took to make the problem go away. It's not a trailering stress - the boat's been moored in a quiet marina and has less than 400 tow miles on it. It's not a "heavy chop/swell" problem, I don't catch air on the water. My feeling is that it's simply a hull/cabin joint flex problem and ain't gonna go away.

What say y'all? Anybody else have this problem?

Don

T.R. Bauer · Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 10:44 pm Post subject:

Well, I think you answered your own question. It is typical and normal. Also, on mine, they are so tiny that they are hardly noticable unless you really, really give the boat a reall good look over.

rogerbum · Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 11:24 pm Post subject:

Yes - I have the same problem. It's on my list of things to repair this summer. I'm thinking about beefing up that area with a few more layers of fiberglass.

westward · Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 11:35 pm Post subject:

We had the same small cracks on our last 22 from the time we bought it used to the time we sold it. I half expect them to appear on the new 22. I'm not worried about them. I'm not sure if it's the shape, or if excess gelcoat pools there in the mold, or what. They never got bigger in our case. I felt the boat flexed less there than other places due to the strength imparted by the bulkhead. I think it's more cosmetic than anything but can't say for sure. Mike.

T.R. Bauer · Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 11:42 pm Post subject:

My boat is 15 year old and they have caused no problems. Like I said, they are hardly even noticable.

Sneaks · Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 10:49 am Post subject:

Thank you, gentlemen Brats, I think I'll just not fret and (maybe) deal with them if they become a sales cosmetic issue.

Very nice to know I'm not alone with this issue. Never had it on any of my previous (SOB) boats so it came as a vexing surprise.

Don