Cracks in gelcoat - what to do?!

[alaska7]

Would like some advice from the wise and learned on here! I am considering my options in treating a hull with extensive fine cracks in the gelcoat. There doesn't appear to be any blistering however. Options seem to be: 1 strip antifouling and apply coats of primer and International Gelshield and then go sailing and wait and see how it develops over the next few seasons. 2. bite the bullet now even though blisters don't seem to be in evidence and peel or blast the gelcoat and treat with layers of solvent free epoxy etc.
With option 1 the question is will the Gelshield do anything if painted straight over the cracks? or is it a waste of time and cash?

 

[30boat]

Picture one looks like crazed (failed ) gelcoat while pic 2 appears to be stress crazing.Sometimes gelcoat fails by crazing and even detaching from the laminate.The best way of correcting is peeling and replacing either with gelgoat or,my favourite,an epoxy coating.Stress crazing needs to have the causes rectified before repairing.You should make sure that the crazing is extensive and that stress crazing indeed is present.

 

[VicS]

Would like some advice from the wise and learned on here! I am considering my options in treating a hull with extensive fine cracks in the gelcoat. There doesn't appear to be any blistering however. Options seem to be: 1 strip antifouling and apply coats of primer and International Gelshield and then go sailing and wait and see how it develops over the next few seasons. 2. bite the bullet now even though blisters don't seem to be in evidence and peel or blast the gelcoat and treat with layers of solvent free epoxy etc.
With option 1 the question is will the Gelshield do anything if painted straight over the cracks? or is it a waste of time and cash?

Option 0 .... nothing.

 

[Javelin]

Can you tell us what section of the hull these photos are from.

Gel crazing is normally a result of physical stress, wave pounding, bad lift out or cradle, bouncing off another boat or transferred stress from rig, rudder, keel etc.
So the first thing to think about is what is the cause before fixing or covering up the symptom.
If the stress was due to an accident of some kind then fine time to fix it, otherwise you need to investigate further to eliminate the problem occurring again.

Given that after your investigation the damage is not due to your keel falling off I'd be tempted to temporarily cover the areas with epoxy and sail on for the season.
Then as soon as you lift out at the end of the season get her grit blasted, let her dry out over the winter and then given a good moisture reading, epoxy her in the spring.

 

[Tam Lin]

How much is your boat worth?

 

[oldsaltoz]

Assuming this is below the waterline I would be concerned about any stress cracking and resolve that problem now.
The rst can be sanded, primed and protected without further treatment for what may be several seasons.

Take some moisture readings, start midships at deck level to a "normal" reading and use this as a base to calculate the actusl moisture content later.

Good luck and fair winds.