Checking of gelcoat on C Dory 25

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essayprec

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C Dory Year
2003
C Dory Model
25 Cruiser
Hull Identification Number
201600303L1LF
Vessel Name
Sea Jay II
Hi all,
Hope you all are having a wonderful boat filled summer. I have a question I would like to put out there.
I have a 2003 25' C dory and am experiencing checking and hairline cracking in different areas on the boat. Some on front bow around forward cleat, some inside corner areas, and even on some flat surfaces on the outside near the transom.

Is this common and if it is, how can I fix it?

Many Thanks
Jeff
 
First off, I'm no expert. But based on what others have said here and other people's input...

...we have some hair line cracks in the gelcoat too, in various places. But that's all it is; in the gelcoat. The gelcoat is cosmetic/protective. It's not structural. Unless it starts cracking into the cloth/matting, I don't freak out about it. Boats are under a tremendous amount of stress, movement, pounding, flexing etc.
 
It would help if you posted some photos A few "stress" cracks, in areas where there is thick gel coat, high stress areas, where the load was not spread out well, etc is "normal". But checking, may be a sign that the gel coat is nearing the end of its useful life

My son just bought a 1995 C Dory 15 and the gel coat apparently has been regularly waxed, and kept covered. It still is in excellent condition.

This is a good reminder that gelcoat does require regular waxing and care.

We owned a Cal 46, which at about 20 years of age (had been in charter service in the Caribbean for at least a few years), the gel coat was shot, and we had to fill, epoxy primer and paint with Awlgrip. It is a lot cheaper to wax the boat!

The treatment for the hairline cracks, and maybe early checking (photos?) is to grind a V into the cracks with a Dremel tool, and then re-gel coat the area. I have found that failure of the C Dory gel coat is rare.
 
I don't like cracks as it can mean something is moving a good deal. Or, it could be nothing - not enough filler in the joint. I couldn't tell you without seeing it. Fixable? Indeed, but it will probably crack again there unless it is just UV exposure and failing gelcoat due to lack of care.
 
Ok. Superficial cracks in your gelcoat, usually from UV damage are not a big deal. They'll usually buff right out!

These superficial cracks can hold liquid water that freezes and frost wedges your glass and makes it so water can penetrate to the core. THEN it's bad. But that takes at least one winter's neglect.

Cracks in the gelcoat that have occurred because of too much FLEX can are generally cracks that allow water to penetrate to the core, undermining it. This can also occur BECAUSE your core is compromised, allowing the flex. While flexibility is not an inherently bad thing in terms of structural integrity, most cored fiberglass will deteriorate as it flexes, so most designs are well supported. It's unlikely that you have a unique issue with flex somewhere on your 25 that isn't on others. But you may.

Pics would help.
 
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