stay off the crack

[Anonymous]

on the 17 i just bought, there is some cracking in the gel coat around the transom, on top leading down, mostly straighter cracks, not like a spider web.  any suggestions on how to fill those in?  thanks

[osprey170]

Don't know the answer but I have the same issue.  I also don't want to hijack your post but I was wondering if anyone also knows whether these cracks are a sign of impending doom or if they are normal because of age.  Mine are hairline cracks in the gelcoat along the sides of transom.  I also have one running down the middle of the "tray" that runs along the inside of the transom.  Otherwise transom looks and feels solid.

I'm sure you would like to know the same...

[Wilson]

Got any pix?

Sometimes in corners the gelcoat is sprayed too thick and simply cracks.  

Otherwise, if there is flex in the area (transom) you may have issues.  If it is not from your transom going bad there must be flex from something else.  Aside from replacing the transom here is what you would have to do (most likely) to get rid of them:

-grind out the area down into the glass
-lay in some new long strand glass an wet it out with resin
-regrind to smooth
-fill to just below the gelcoat
-fill with gelcoat (or spray the area)
-sand with 320, then 400, then 600, then 1000
-buff

NO FUN.

You can try to fill with gelcoat puty (gelcoat, sanding aid, thickened with cabosil), but they will likely reappear.

Let me know if you have any questions.