Newbie - Gel Coat education

[Sheboudiac]

I looked at a 2000 2100v yesterday and it had spider cracks on both sides of the boat by the windshield. They were too small to feel, but on the white background of the boat they were easy to see.

My guess is that this would be very expensive to fix. Correct? Is it worth fixing on an 8 year old boat selling for $23k?

[CP3]

I looked at a 2000 2100v yesterday and it had spider cracks on both sides of the boat by the windshield. They were too small to feel, but on the white background of the boat they were easy to see.

My guess is that this would be very expensive to fix. Correct? Is it worth fixing on an 8 year old boat selling for $23k?

IM no expert but I dont think spider crack repair is that much becuase my dealer had mine fixed for free but I dont know about older boats. Im sure someone will know

And welcome to the site. Youll find lots of helpful info here

[mtnsmith]

I bet if they had to remove the windshield frame at all it would add exponentially to the repair because of the labor involved. I don't think it would be insanely expensive if there is nothing in the way.

[ragboy]

IM no expert but I dont think spider crack repair is that much becuase my dealer had mine fixed for free but I dont know about older boats. Im sure someone will know

And welcome to the site. Youll find lots of helpful info here

And a lot of not so helpful info. We have both.

[dogbert]

I looked at a 2000 2100v yesterday and it had spider cracks on both sides of the boat by the windshield. They were too small to feel, but on the white background of the boat they were easy to see.

My guess is that this would be very expensive to fix. Correct? Is it worth fixing on an 8 year old boat selling for $23k?

I wouldn't think so. It only cost me $75 a side to fill in the holes left by the cable harness mounts for my telescopic pylon. That was from the dealer.

Talltigeguy posted a "How-To" on gelcoat repair a while back.

[chpthril]

And a lot of not so helpful info. We have both.

But this is reserved for special people


I doubt this is a structural problem, most spider cracks are just cosmetic. If they could be fixed without removing anything, it shouldn't be too expensive, but like mtnsmith said, if the windshield has to be removed, it WILL get pricey. The problem I see is that you will have to get to the cause/center of the spider, to make a permanent fix i.e. removing the windshield. If not, and simply cover up what is visible, I'm afraid the crack will come back soon.

[Lucky 275]

I had a 6 inch scratch on the nose of my 22v and it cost about $100 to fix. The windshield is screwed in. If you pull that black rubber seal out, you'll see all the screws.

[CP3]

And a lot of not so helpful info. We have both.

Thanks tessa

[spharis]

Is it worth fixing on an 8 year old boat selling for $23k?

Short answer, if you are going to buy it, yes. The better overall condition on the boat for quick to notice items, the more it is going to sell for. You noticed the spider cracks, and judging by the "newbie" reference, you aren't real familiar with it. However had you walked up and seen it looking all dripping and blinged out, you wouldn't have even asked the question and might not have looked in on some more important items than small cosmetic blemishes.

After you have the boat on the water, and it doesn't vibrate, leak, it cranks, runs, performs, and is what you expect in a boat; then address the cosmetic issues. You can repair those. An engine that knocks, or vibration is way more expensive than some vinyl cracks, a bad instrument, or a gel coat blemish. Most of that you can fix yourself or pay very small amounts to have corrected. If you have to pull the engine to say, replace the flywheel b/c the starter won't engage, or repair a rear main, or replace a tranny seal, it is alot more expensive and the boat will not work unti it is fixed. A gel coat crack that isn't structural damage you can use the boat for years with it, and then fix it if you chose to.

And a lot of not so helpful info. We have both.

I resemble that remark!

[Jason B]

23k sounds like a lot during the freeze of winter. Maybe not depending on the hours, accesories, options, etc....

If you can use sand paper you can fix gel coat. It is sooooo easy it's almost crazy. If you are a comletely "hands off" kinda guy repairs aren't expensive. My wife plowed bow first into a dock and caused a 2"x2" chunk to fly off my boat all the way down to the glass. A repair shop only wanted 200$ to fix that. I can't imagine spider cracks being repaired would cost you anymore than that!

[Guest]

Thank you. I'll try to get better and live up to standards.

[dmgski22ve]

i have a spider crack in my gel coat and I notified the tige dealer in Salt Lake City and this was last summer when my 2006 22Ve was still under warranty and he sent an email to the tige manufacturer and did nothing about it... so am I out of luck on getting tige to fix it?