Repair & maintenance: Stressed crack in GRP hull

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Stressed crack in GRP hull

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Repair & maintenance
Forum Discription: Questions & tips on the subject
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12197
Printed Date: 26 Jun 25 at 9:24am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Stressed crack in GRP hull

Posted By: Wobble
Subject: Stressed crack in GRP hull
Date Posted: 23 Oct 15 at 5:32pm

I have discovered a 4-inch crack under the gunwale of my Flying Fifteen. I think it came about from the boat's weight being borne on the short trailer support -- perhaps coming up the slipway or on the road.

What's best to fill it with? I'm tempted to use epoxy for its hardness, but worried it might crack. Is there something more flexible I could use?

(I'm not too concerned with aesthetics, as it's barely visible under the lip.)

Any advice greatly appreciated!

Replies:

Posted By: Paramedic
Date Posted: 24 Oct 15 at 8:17pm

How bad is the crack? If it's only a hairline stress crack i'd leave alone. You could spend ages fixing it for it to come back weeks later.

Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 24 Oct 15 at 8:49pm

Hairline gel coat cracks are almost inevitable on older glass fibre boats. Its often not worth worrying.

Posted By: Wobble
Date Posted: 26 Oct 15 at 11:23am

Took another look at it... small enough to cover with duct tape, but more a lateral hole than a crack, and 6 inches long, not four.

Looks like a full-on GRP repair job.

Posted By: Paramedic
Date Posted: 26 Oct 15 at 8:26pm

may just be a void