Gunnel / topside gelcoat pressure crack repairs

[abl1111]

Playing around with the idea of repairing the numerous gelcoat cracks that are present on the decks ( gunnels and aft 'deck' ) on my 23' Tsunami.

They look like they are from kissing the dock too often, too hard. I guess after 32 years of use, it's bound to happen to even the best boater.

What is the line of attack here ? I have heard many ' band-aid options ' i.e. dremel the cracks open to the laminate and glass strands of glass in each crack, then gelcoat over.

And, the full-on, grind the decks down, re-glass and then re-gel.

Has anyone done this repair work and what have you found to work well when doing so ? This is a project that I'd like to get done some time this winter...

[strick]

Allen- I still have pics of your boat in a folder on my web site http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Alans%20boat/

I think the best thing to do with gel coat cracks/spider cracks etc is to take the bull by the horn's and grind them out totally/excessively and then laminate some heavy matt over the ground out area. Then you can sand, fair and paint or gel coat. This may be a good opportunity for you to re paint the gunnel's and inside of the boat if there are lots of cracks present.

strick

[abl1111]

Strick, Thx for the reply. I figured as much ! I guess I was hoping for another answer, but I know that's the way to do it.

I am going to shoot you a PM w/ regard to a non-SC, glass project I have... Hope you have some advice for me.