Fibreglass issue opinion

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5teve

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Hi Guys

Been a while - and a lot has happened since then - We have a baby boy and still havent bought a new boat (in summary)

Sooo... in my never ending quest we have been looking at a locally made (western australian) 1997 built 38/40ft boat that my wife likes and i'm quite keen on too. Internally and in the bilges etc it is very clean - low ish hours on the twin cummins, onan genset - all nicely laid out so all good. I noticed in my usual observational way that externally apart from the rub rail is made of cheese (thin aluminium) so very wavy along the length (boat is 11t so no wonder) from impacts and its obviously holding the fibreglass in where it has impacted. Sorry waffling on ... my main observation was that the gel coat appeared to be painted - but on closer inspection i think the gel coat has shrunk / cracked mainly on the topsides and some on the hull sides above the static waterline. - its not everywhere but is mainly at the front and around the windows - I believe it can be caused by the gel coat being too thick or too much hardener. It also appears that a previous owner has polished the boat to within an inch of its life! so in a few places it looks like the gelcoat has gone a bit thin on a few spots on the front deck. ( you can even see where decals used to be as ridges on the fibreglass on the fly front)

Pictures of the 'issue' below - Now it may be the case that it has been painted at some point in its previous life, however based on what I can see, I do not think this is the case. My question is - is this likely to be an issue - of just a cosmetic thing that can be sorted over the years via sanding, priming and painting (as a lot of is is on relatively unseen areas, or on the grip sections) - The boat is constructed of solid glass - Construction description from the manufacturers website (no longer manufacturing)

  • All white premium grade gelcoat body colour
  • Vinyl Ester Resin skins
  • Solid GRP fibreglass lay up
  • Fully Fibreglassed frame bearers and stringers

I Believe vinyl Esther is pretty resistant to water absorption - and there appears to be no evidence of blisters or anything else on the boat.

As s side note and a long shot - If any of the Aussie users of the forum know where Rub rail can be sourced (the type that goes over the deck / hull joining flange) made from Thick Aluminium it would be appreciated - Capral and Ulrich do not seem to carry any.

Thanks in Advance

Steve

edit - added links as google is preventing embedding


https://goo.gl/photos/M95o1nKDGrM2FWJC8

https://goo.gl/photos/gohKMbheJDQyVb1D6

https://goo.gl/photos/vxMKPqSxhrcpo9Xv8

https://goo.gl/photos/iAeziNGhZ6q1GtPU8
 
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Hi Steve, good to see you back and thanks for the PM, just a quick note to say that I cannot see the attached images, they just show as grey squares with a 'no entry' type sign on them (I am logged in), not sure if it just me, perhaps another user could comment?
Ants
 
5teve said:
I thought initially paint - but relooking at it yesterday i'm 90% sure its gelcoat... the few chips in the coating go straight through to glass
Click to expand...

I don't think that's a good thing. Do you own the boat? I would take a small chunk of the gelcoat off and see if there is any problem below, if not get a fiberglass/gelcoat guy to examine the hull. Does it go to the water line? I wouldn't worry about the cosmetics of it only the integrity of the glass, it could be a perfect candidate for wrapping
 
No I don't own it yet.. I'm thinking of it..

I'd have a survey done anyway.. but from what I can gather the resin etc are pretty good for resistance to water as they are vinyl ester rather than polyester resin.

Its all above the static waterline. Really not much on the sides but there is some orange peel effect on the sides - which is either over polished or possibly the gelcoat has been resprayed after taking out of the mould.. as I mentioned its only a 1997.. and only 3 owners - but history is unknown as to why its like it and the current owner hadnt even noticed!

Steve
 
5teve said:
No I don't own it yet.. I'm thinking of it..

I'd have a survey done anyway.. but from what I can gather the resin etc are pretty good for resistance to water as they are vinyl ester rather than polyester resin.

Its all above the static waterline. Really not much on the sides but there is some orange peel effect on the sides - which is either over polished or possibly the gelcoat has been resprayed after taking out of the mould.. as I mentioned its only a 1997.. and only 3 owners - but history is unknown as to why its like it and the current owner hadnt even noticed!

Steve
Click to expand...
Do you think he cracked it using an electric orbital buffer without enough water?
 
I Doubt it. I Dont think its stress cracking other than gelcoat shrinkage causing cracking - I think they call it alligatoring but I cant really find any opinions as to whether its a major issue or not!

I also cant find many examples of it in patches - generally its old boats and they refinish the whole boat - usually in the states where it can be done without selling your house (unlike here in Oz)

The reason I mention the buffing is there used to be decal stripes - there are ridges in the fibreglass where they used to be and the previous owners polished over so these areas are still sitting proud! Obviously some serious buffing - or far too abrasive polish!

Steve
 
There was an article a while ago about a boat owner who had his whole boat stripped back to fiberglass and regelcoated. It was done in Thailand, a forty footer could get you there and back from Oz. Just saying!
 
Bouba said:
There was an article a while ago about a boat owner who had his whole boat stripped back to fiberglass and regelcoated. It was done in Thailand, a forty footer could get you there and back from Oz. Just saying!
Click to expand...

Its a long way :)

The abrolhos islands are only a scratch of distance up the coast of WA and apparently the current owner used about 2000l there and back from Perth! I think he may have been hammering it though! Maybe a mast and sail would help :)

Plenty of info in the states about bertys being stripped and redone.. you would be looking at 30-50k aud here for that though! Cheaper if I did it myself though :)

Steve
 
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