I'm in the process of buying a boat and discovered it has a lot of hairline cracks in the gelcoat right below the outdrive. The pic is attached. I had a fiberglass guy inspect the transom and said it's dry and structurally sound. Do you think the cracks are something to be concerned about? Would you repair them?
hairline cracks in gelcoat
- Thread starter todd10
- Start date
Seems to me that is one of two things. Either excessive flex in the transom. Even though it's dry, it might not be designed properly to take the forces applied. Or the gelcoat is drying out and cracking.
I think I'd want to double check what your glass guy said, just to be sure. I don't recall Sea Ray using plastic garboard drain plugs anytime in the last few decades... and before that, well, I just plain don't remember one way or the other if some of the models used plastic (I think "not"... but I'm not 100% sure)! But, on the assumption that someone changed the drain plug and maybe didn't seal it properly, there could be some wood expansion going on from moisture. It's kind of a weird pattern, though, and honestly - not one I've ever seen before. But, it'll only take a few minutes to pull that drain plug off and check the condition of the plywood in the transom. After checking out the condition, you may have to further diagnosis, but let's wait on that.
Thanks for your responses. Unfortunately, I sold my Sea Ray and this is a Chaparral I'm looking at. So you are correct, it's not a Sea Ray
The glass guy said the cracks were most likely caused from remaining in the water for prolonged periods. I'm not exactly sure why/ how that would cause the cracks? Seems a more likely plausible cause is from the force of the outdrive, but I'm no expect on this.
The glass guy said the cracks were most likely caused from remaining in the water for prolonged periods. I'm not exactly sure why/ how that would cause the cracks? Seems a more likely plausible cause is from the force of the outdrive, but I'm no expect on this.
BillK2632
Well-Known Member
The fact that it looks like just that one area, I would suspect that area is wet - Like Dennis said, pull the drain plug and you will know. It looks a lot like the blisters I had all over our old Glastron - it sat in freshwater each summer and after about 5yrs it developed blisters that had gelcote cracks on them - it looked just like that. Also, that plastic drain plug does not look right - I doubt that is original. My guess, previous owner installed that drain plug, didn't do it correctly and it allowed water to wick into the transom.
That sounds weird. Get a surveyor to look at it. Test with a moisture meter and by sounding. Good luck.Thanks for your responses. Unfortunately, I sold my Sea Ray and this is a Chaparral I'm looking at. So you are correct, it's not a Sea Ray
firecadet613
Well-Known Member
- May 10, 2007
- 5,253
- Boat Info
- SOLD - 2007 Four Winns V358
- Engines
- Twin VP 5.7GXi V-Drive / ZF63s
What year and model Chap? I've never seen that before and like it was said above, run a moisture meter over it and give it the tap tap tap test.
Keep in mind, what will it look like when you go to sell it and how many prospective buyers will move on to another boat.
Keep in mind, what will it look like when you go to sell it and how many prospective buyers will move on to another boat.
It's a 1997 Chap. Located about a 5 hour drive from where I live, so I can't easily go back and test it for moisture and tap test. Anyhoo, I decided to pass on it. Didn't think it's worth the risk when it has an apparent issue that could turn out to be a big problem. It's probably a water leak. I'll just keep on looking. Thanks for all of your feedbacks!
