Gelcoat cracks

[espritv8]

Hi,


I went to a Tige dealership, and notices that their used 2000-2001 models have gel coat cracks from one end to another on the bottom of the hull.

There is one 00' 2300v limited that i'm particularly interested in, but it has the same problem.

When I asked the vendor about that issue, he told me that it is only cosmetic and that most Tige from those years have the same trouble. He explained that the gel coat is too thick, causing it to crack, but that it won't affect the integrity of the boat whatsoever.

The cracks are very obvious, and he says It could be fixed, but again it's only a cosmetic issue.

What do you think about this?

[talltigeguy]

He is probably right as far as the gelcoat cracks being only cosmetic.

They are really not that hard to fix. I am surprised that the dealership would not fix them. I bet they are hoping someone will buy the boat without going underneath it. The problem is that you will take a beating on resale if you try and sell it with those, because most people are going to worry it is the sign of a serious problem. Just like you were worried enough about it to ask here.

Take a picture to be sure we are talking about the same thing here.

My 2002 did not have any gelcoat cracks whatsoever when I sold it in 2004. Most boats are going to get those right away if they are going to happen.

[laserfish]

I have a 2000 and it does not have a single crack anywhere on the boat. I think he is feeding you a line of ... I have never heard that about those years and there are a bunch of us on the site. I might just keep looking.

[hyphen79]

Gel coat cracks are a common thing. I had them on my last boat, and they are cosmetic. Mine were around the tower, and before I sold it I had them fixed, but disclosed them to the new owner in the vent they came back.

They typically present themselves when that particular area of the boat experiences some stress, the gel coat wasn't able to flex, and instead the gel coat cracked.

[JreisRZR]

Gel coat cracks are a common thing. I had them on my last boat, and they are cosmetic. Mine were around the tower, and before I sold it I had them fixed, but disclosed them to the new owner in the vent they came back.

They typically present themselves when that particular area of the boat experiences some stress, the gel coat wasn't able to flex, and instead the gel coat cracked.

exactly, even the brand new boats get them in a few spots, if the boat is perfect aside from the crack make him fix them if it looks like it's been beat on keep looking

[skippabcool]

The problem is that you will take a beating on resale if you try and sell it with those, because most people are going to worry it is the sign of a serious problem. Just like you were worried enough about it to ask here.

x2

When I was looking for my boat I tried to keep the emotions out, I really wanted to get one so that I could get on the water, and looked for something that I liked and did not have any second thoughts about. One major thing that I have done when buying items is to think if I have to sell this will I be able to or is there something that will make it difficult. Yeah there may be things that you are willing to live with but is the next person going to be able to.

I spent over a year looking seriously and several more not quite as serious. The right one will come along.

There is a user on here earlier in the year that found the perfect almost new boat and an unbelievable price. The only flaw is that it had the smaller motor, in our area not a good thing (elevation). Would've it worked yeah. In the end he passed and soon after found another great deal that had what he wanted.

[Vicseek]

Even my 2010 is starting to show some small cracking around the base of the tower mounts. I know this is from the stress and constant shredding! haha..!
Just make sure it's cosmetic and if your not confortable with it, pass; cuz every time you take the boat out you'll be wishing you didn't have one with horrible cosmetic damage...

[laserfish]

The thing that would concern me is that the cracks are from one end to the other on the BOTTOM of the hull, not around the tower. I had one crack at the tower and it was repaired. Have no cracks on the bottom of the hull. Makes me think there was some type of impact. I would not be comfortable with them on the bottom.

[NiceOnes]

I have a 2002 22i and it has many cosmetic stress cracks. All of my cracks however seem to originate from screw locations as if they were not counter sunk properly. I looked under the boat last night and could not see any cracks on the bottom hull whatsoever.

I would be wary of any cracks on the bottom hull as you describe. The dealer isn't lying when he says Tige's from that period suffered from gelcoat cracks but I've never seen them on the underside.

Cheers,

[M&M]

Cracks?

2000 20CI. A few gel coat cracks around screws on the deck, but none on the topside or bottom. My old boat, 68 fiberglass Resorter still has none.

[espritv8]

Really, the boat is mint. All the cracks are below the waterline. I doubt the cracks are there because of an impact, since the rest of the boat seems perfectly fine. They are spiderwebs, not big and obvious cracks, but there are lots of them.
How do repair those? Is it hard and expensive to do?

[talltigeguy]

Really, the boat is mint. All the cracks are below the waterline. I doubt the cracks are there because of an impact, since the rest of the boat seems perfectly fine. They are spiderwebs, not big and obvious cracks, but there are lots of them.
How do repair those? Is it hard and expensive to do?

A spider web happens when the boat takes a hit from a large dull object, like a dock or rounded rock that isn't sharp enough to puncture the gelcoat. The center of impact is at the center of the web.

I am not buying that Tige didn't know how to do gelcoat in 2000. So we have to ask, what is different from the bottom of the boat to the rest where there is no gelcoat irregularities. Same Tige guys supposedly putting the gelcoat too thick on the whole boat, right?

I am eager to get some pics of these bad boys.

Here is a brief website I found:http://blog.dankim.com/2010/09/03/gelcoat-cracks/

These are impact cracks:



These are stress cracks:

[espritv8]

Yes i'ts like the second picture. But it has them from bow to stern, and there is a boat-wide crack every foot or so.

I heard late tige's have wood in the hull, would i need to be even more concerned?

[laserfish]

All the wood is encapsulated in fiberglass. However, if it was misused or abused, you never know. Have had no problems with mine and it is outside under a cover and not in the garage, but otherwise is babied.