Re: {Beneteau Owners} Re: Gelcoat Crazing/Cracks

[still...@att.net]

I have a 2003 B331. We have a few gelcoat hairline cracks/crazing around the bow pulpit and stern.  Is this a problem that needs to be fixed?  I see this on a lot of boats, but no one seems to be concerned.

Mark

http://home.att.net/~dragonflyb331/

-------------- Original message from "Neal Lindeman" <nlin...@hotmail.com>: --------------


>
> I too have a 2001 B331 and have no problems. It probably should being that
> the boat has had two pretty hard blows. I do have a couple of hairline
> gelcoat "cracks" on the deck near the stern, but no spider webbing.
>
>
>
> Neal Lindeman
>
>
>
>
>
> >From: "rlojmo"
> >Reply-To: Benetea...@googlegroups.com
> >To: "Beneteau Owners"
> >Subject: {Beneteau Owners} Gelcoat Crazing/Cracks
> >Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2007 09:15:28 -0800
> >
> >
> >All,
> >
> >I would be interested in opinions and experience with gel coat crazing
> >and cracking o n the deck. I am a new owner of a 2001 Beneteau 331. I
> >have sent a inquiry about this before, but perhaps this time everyone
> >could comment on their experience and resolutions if any? I have
> >cracks at the port stern area and crazing on both sides of the bow. I
> >sent an inquiry to B on this, they told me it is expected and normal
> >for a 5 year old boat.
> >
> >Has anyone attempted to resolve this by hiring a professional. I am
> >considering this but would be concerned about the long term viability
> >of it.
> >
> >Thanks.
> >
> >Bob
> >
> >
> >>
>
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[Ivars]

Gelcoat becomes brittle as it ages.   Chaulking is a sign of gelcoat becoming brittle.  It's one of the unfortunate properties of gelcoat as it ages and our boats  flex when we use them.  The initial surface crazing is OK but.... needs to be monitored.  As the cracks become deeper they become more of a gateway for water to get into the fiberglass.  The early stages of crazing probably can be handled by polishing / waxing the area to keep it sealed   I think as you look around and monitor the crazing,  it will come to your attention when somethings need to be done. 

 

[bar...@attglobal.net]

Mark,

 

On my B331(2003), the cracks appeared within a year so Beneteau fixed under warranty.  The estimate for my yard to do was about $1700 as I recall, which Beneteau said was too high so they sent someone down to fix.  While talking to the repair person ( man and wife team) he said that he was travelling around doing a lot of gelcoat repairs on benes.  I had two cracks on each side of the deck about midway down the anchor locker close to the toe rail and two at the stern on each side just as the deck slants down the transom.  The fix was done about two years ago and have not returned.  I was told by my rep that when the gelcoat is applied too thick, it has the tendency to crack (don't know if I believe that or not!)  Talking to other 331 owners, it appears a fair number of them have this problem. 

 

I think the cracks are more of a cosmetic problem other than structural as was my case.  However water can penetrate , freeze ( for those of us in the north) and cause bigger problems.  So I would suggest sealing them to avoid water intrusion.

 

Barry

 B331 Avago (hull #240) 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: still...@att.net

To: Benetea...@googlegroups.com

Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2007 7:45 AM

Subject: {Beneteau Owners} Re: Gelcoat Crazing/Cracks

[rlojmo]

Mark,

How did you determine that it was a structural failure. Also I am
very surprised you got B to fix it, so far they have no interest it
the problem for me probably because I am a second owner. Could you
email the husband/wife team to me off line?

Thanks for sharing this.

Bob

On Jan 31, 8:21 pm, <bar...@attglobal.net> wrote:
> Mark,
>
> On my B331(2003), the cracks appeared within a year so Beneteau fixed under warranty. The estimate for my yard to do was about $1700 as I recall, which Beneteau said was too high so they sent someone down to fix. While talking to the repair person ( man and wife team) he said that he was travelling around doing a lot of gelcoat repairs on benes. I had two cracks on each side of the deck about midway down the anchor locker close to the toe rail and two at the stern on each side just as the deck slants down the transom. The fix was done about two years ago and have not returned. I was told by my rep that when the gelcoat is applied too thick, it has the tendency to crack (don't know if I believe that or not!) Talking to other 331 owners, it appears a fair number of them have this problem.
>
> I think the cracks are more of a cosmetic problem other than structural as was my case. However water can penetrate , freeze ( for those of us in the north) and cause bigger problems. So I would suggest sealing them to avoid water intrusion.
>
> Barry
> B331 Avago (hull #240)
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: stillwe...@att.net
> To: Benetea...@googlegroups.com
> Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2007 7:45 AM
> Subject: {Beneteau Owners} Re: Gelcoat Crazing/Cracks
>
> I have a 2003 B331. We have a few gelcoat hairline cracks/crazing around the bow pulpit and stern. Is this a problem that needs to be fixed? I see this on a lot of boats, but no one seems to be concerned.
>
> Mark
>
> http://home.att.net/~dragonflyb331/
>

> -------------- Original message from "Neal Lindeman" <nlinde...@hotmail.com>: --------------

> >http://click4thecause.live.com/search/charity/default.aspx?source=hme...line_gr
> > atitude&FORM=WLMTAG