1968+Gel Coat Cracks+Saturated Glass=?

[merkin222]

Hey guys, hoping somebody can clarify this for me please:

I finally found that dream hull, an early 222, and I'm already expecting that transom / stringers / sole and deck would probably need to be redone. New tank, rigging, and gel coat too of course.

Now the reason I'm posting today is because a sailor friend of mine heard about the project and said that if the hull has been kept in the water (which it has, for 6 months) that any cracks in the gel coat can lead to saturated glass at the hull, which might render the hull structurally unfit to build inside of.

Does this work that way? I've ready the forum's "Buyers Bible" and a multitude of other posts, but I'm not sure I've seen this explained. If it is possible that water can penetrate the layers of glass which form the hull, and if this represents irreparable damage, then how would you test for it?

Any help is appreciated!

Merkin

[RickK]

I certainly don't know for sure, as far as saturation of the lamination, but I would say that a lot of the hulls on this site might fall into that category.
I guess you could use a moisture meter and probe into the glass?
Maybe this is something that a surveyor would be able to provide?

[merkin222]

Thanks RickK, I appreciate your feedback on this.

Cheers.

[dirtwheelsfl]

I think youre more likely to find a blister problem than anything...   Was it bottom painted??

[CLM65]

I suspect my 67 spent most of its life in the water - it was a work boat on a lake.  It was bottom painted, but the gelcoat under the bottom paint was full of craze cracking.  The glass on the inside, as well as the glass that was exposed when I ground out the cracks, appeared to be fine.  It was dry and solid.  I don't believe it will be a problem.

[merkin222]

Thanks for all of your feedback guys. I appreciate it, and I'm glad to know that despite the water storage we can still go ahead. - Will post as things progress.

Cheers.