Gelcoat / Paint Cracks in Bilge

[bajturner]

I am looking for advice on what I think / hope is a minor issue I noticed recently. I cleaned the bilge as best I could and in the process noticed some cracks. Some photos are below. It feels like thick paint that has started to peel, but if I understand correctly this is actually gelcoat.

My question is, how important is it to fix this quickly? Can I wait until the end of the season, or should I do it right away? I would rather do it once the weather is cooler.

They are all located in the center, between the stringers



Near the bilge pump



Near the port stringer by the engine

 

[The Bill Collector]

My boat is a 1998 and I've owned it for 5 years. I have had the hairline cracks in the bilge paint since I bought it....:huh:

 

[jason78]

I have a couple small chips and so have several other SR bilges I have been in. Given that and the fact it has been discussed here before by others makes me think it is not all that uncommon of an issue. My service records show it was actually repaired by the dealer once costing the customer a fortune. I guess SR did not cover it because it was cosmetic. I have asked several people who are experts in the field and all have told me not to worry about it. When/if I have to remove the engines for some kind of repair, I plan to repaint the bilge thereby covering those spots. Until then I don't worry about it.

 

[bajturner]

Thanks Jason and Mark. I think I will remove anything that is loose to prevent it from potentially clogging a pump and see how it looks. Regardless, it sounds like I can either leave it as a repair for next winter, or even the winter after that!

 

[chandalen]

I have a lot of spiderweb cracking in the gelcoat on either side in my bilge where the batteries sit. I peeled away some flakes and it was fiberglass under, that was bone dry. I also drilled a small pilot hole and the dust came out clean and dry. I chalked it up to cosmetic only, but i do plan on putting some caulk along the lines when I winterize this year. The cracking was there when I bought the boat.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Nothing to worry about it. Pretty common. My personal boat has some of those, as well. I have not fixed them.

I would advise against removing the gelcoat unless it is obviously (flaking) loose. It's one of those things that if you start removing it, you just sort of keep going and going and don't know where to stop!

 

[bajturner]

Nothing to worry about it. Pretty common...I would advise against removing the gelcoat unless it is obviously (flaking) loose. It's one of those things that if you start removing it, you just sort of keep going and going and don't know where to stop!

Thank you for the advice...I wondered about that. None of it is really loose so I will leave it be.

 

[JimT]

I recently noticed a gelcoat chip about 3" x 4" between the stringers. The fibreglass is visible where the gelcoat chipped off. Is there any benefit to attempting to patch or coat this spot or just leave it alone?