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New owners need advice on crack

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Chakana
1st Mate

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USA
62 Posts

Response Posted - 11/15/2011 : 08:54:45

THank you Frank for that advice. Yes, we can get it in the water if we need to (although we've got it nicely tarped for the winter now).
Here's a dumb question: We have a pressure washer. what about spraying it up in the keel trunk from underneath. Would that be a good test?

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 11/15/2011 : 09:22:13

Was it in the water when you bought it? Did it have water in the bilge then? I wouldn't use the pressure washer to test the crack. You could wind up making a gelcoat blemish into a gelcoat disaster. Before I'd do that, I'd explore the gelcoat crack with a light hand. Maybe grind a little with a Dremel tool to see if the crack really extends into the substrate.

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4303 Posts

Response Posted - 11/15/2011 : 20:23:40

Definitely don't use the pressure washer. It's way too easy to tear up the gelcoat and create more problems.

I'm not familiar with the swing keel setup. Would it be possible to put 4 or 5 gallons in the bilge and see if it leaks out?

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2011 : 06:37:11

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John Russell
 I wouldn't use the pressure washer to test the crack. You could wind up making a gelcoat blemish into a gelcoat disaster. Before I'd do that, I'd explore the gelcoat crack with a light hand. Maybe grind a little with a Dremel tool to see if the crack really extends into the substrate.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You do realize that the crack in question is in the interior liner, right?

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2011 : 07:10:34

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2011 : 07:59:55

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John Russell
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dlucier
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John Russell
 I wouldn't use the pressure washer to test the crack. You could wind up making a gelcoat blemish into a gelcoat disaster. Before I'd do that, I'd explore the gelcoat crack with a light hand. Maybe grind a little with a Dremel tool to see if the crack really extends into the substrate.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You do realize that the crack in question is in the interior liner, right?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I do, Don.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Sorry, I was a little confused as the topic was about an interior liner crack then you recommended not using a pressure washer to test the crack. Anna never mentioned any cracks on the exterior gelcoat.

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2011 : 08:11:06

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dlucier
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John Russell
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dlucier
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John Russell
 I wouldn't use the pressure washer to test the crack. You could wind up making a gelcoat blemish into a gelcoat disaster. Before I'd do that, I'd explore the gelcoat crack with a light hand. Maybe grind a little with a Dremel tool to see if the crack really extends into the substrate.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You do realize that the crack in question is in the interior liner, right?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I do, Don.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Sorry, I was a little confused as the topic was about an interior liner crack then you recommended not using a pressure washer to test the crack. Anna never mentioned any cracks on the exterior gelcoat.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Yep.

However, the discussion turned to putting the boat in the water to test the leak which led to the question about using a pressure washer to test the leak. That would suggest testing the leak from the outside. Regardless whether the crack is interior or exterior, applying a pressure washer could potentially cause substantial damage to the gelcoat only to find out that the crack is only superficial. In that case, you've created a great deal of gelcoat work when it wasn't necessary. I suggested the Dremel since it would leave less of a scar to the gelcoat should they find the crack to simply be superficial.

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.