Gel Coat Cracks

[Cheat Otoole]

I was polishing my boat over the weekend (2007 XTi) and I noticed a spider crack in the gel coat from under the window frame almost down to the rub rail. It ran through 3 different colors... Last night I checked the other side and found 2 more. I called my dealer who told me to document and email them pictures so they could start the warranty procedure. I am pretty sure that will work out as the boat is only a year old and I think gel coat warranty is 2 years. My questions are: Is this something I need to get taken care of right away? The boating season here is pretty short and the last thing I need is my boat stuck in a glass shop... Is this something I need to lose sleep over? Is it to be expected? Are there particular trouble spots? I'll be checking the whole boat over with a fine tooth comb and documenting anything I can find.

Thanks

[Air Force 1]

I was polishing my boat over the weekend (2007 XTi) and I noticed a spider crack in the gel coat from under the window frame almost down to the rub rail. It ran through 3 different colors... Last night I checked the other side and found 2 more. I called my dealer who told me to document and email them pictures so they could start the warranty procedure. I am pretty sure that will work out as the boat is only a year old and I think gel coat warranty is 2 years. My questions are: Is this something I need to get taken care of right away? The boating season here is pretty short and the last thing I need is my boat stuck in a glass shop... Is this something I need to lose sleep over? Is it to be expected? Are there particular trouble spots? I'll be checking the whole boat over with a fine tooth comb and documenting anything I can find.

Thanks

I just spent $500 yesterday on gel coat repair to several areas on the bottom of my hull. I also have some spider cracking on the starboard side (approx 1 square foot). I asked the gel coat repair man if he could fix it as well and he said it really isn't a problem, plus he would have to gouge it all down to fiberglass or at least gouge it to give him something to fill in. I left mine as is. It is hardly noticeable. Of course I have a 94. I would probably feel a little different if I had an 07 XTi..

AF1

[Malibuzer]

Cheat, I have the same issue with my 07 VTX and The dealer (probably the same as yours) took som e pics and sent them off to the gel coat repair shop and they will fix them sfter the boating season. I don't believe that you need to worry about them. They are common of a screw or bolt is overtightned on a bow rail, vent, etc.

[99response]

Yeah the guys who install windshields on Malibu's don't like to countersink the holes. I took apart my 01 Sunsetter interior and was pretty suprised how many holes were not countersunk. 5 minutes with my drill and countersink bit fixed that...

-Chris

[mikkee1]

I was polishing my boat over the weekend (2007 XTi) and I noticed a spider crack in the gel coat from under the window frame almost down to the rub rail. It ran through 3 different colors... Last night I checked the other side and found 2 more. I called my dealer who told me to document and email them pictures so they could start the warranty procedure. I am pretty sure that will work out as the boat is only a year old and I think gel coat warranty is 2 years. My questions are: Is this something I need to get taken care of right away? The boating season here is pretty short and the last thing I need is my boat stuck in a glass shop... Is this something I need to lose sleep over? Is it to be expected? Are there particular trouble spots? I'll be checking the whole boat over with a fine tooth comb and documenting anything I can find.

Thanks

I have some spider cracks around one of the rear cleats of my 08 23LSV. The dealer will fix them at the end of the season. No need to worry about it for now, and they're covered under your warranty.