Tiny little cracks in non-skid?

[jdupree]

I am starting to notice tiny little cracks in the non-skid on my deck.  Does not look like stress cracks to me plus the deck is very solid.  The cracks might be as big as a fingernail but no more.

Is this normal and to be expected for a 1981 boat.  Was just wondering if any one else has seen this on their deck?  Will post a pic or to if someone needs me to.  Thanks.

[GoneFission]

Sounds like stress cracks.  Sometimes they don't mean a thing, sometimes they are an indicator of something weak underneath.  If they get bad, you can gelcoat over them and, if the subsurface is solid, they often won't come back.  If they are not obvious, I would probably just live with them (and I do - got a few on my CCP too...).

[slippery73]

Depending on what the cracks look like you can tell wether or not they are stress cracks or just gelcoat crazing from age. Stress cracks are often long cracks, with other cracks running parallel to them, or a central point with cracks radiating from that point. Crazing is more random tiny cracks that have no pattern, go in every direction, if there are cracks perpendiculatr to each other its most likely crazing. This occurs from the gelcoat naturally shrinking over time, picture a dried up lake bed. It will help to wax the gelcoat to keep it from oxidizing, you can repair by regelcoating but you would want sand the cracks out to prevent transfer into the new gel.

[jdupree]

Depending on what the cracks look like you can tell wether or not they are stress cracks or just gelcoat crazing from age. Stress cracks are often long cracks, with other cracks running parallel to them, or a central point with cracks radiating from that point. Crazing is more random tiny cracks that have no pattern, go in every direction, if there are cracks perpendiculatr to each other its most likely crazing. This occurs from the gelcoat naturally shrinking over time, picture a dried up lake bed. It will help to wax the gelcoat to keep it from oxidizing, you can repair by regelcoating but you would want sand the cracks out to prevent transfer into the new gel.

What you are describing is exactly what I have.  These cracks are not long at all and have no pattern.  They are as long as the width of a fingernail.  The deck in that area is rock solid :!:   I guess if I sand them down I would loose some of the diamond pattern on the non-skid They are not real noticible unless you really look at that area.   If I ever decide to re-paint the deck I guess that would be a good time to do that.  Thanks again

[Samanatoo]

I have the same thing on 1982 22.2 that I just purchased.   I want to address it if it will allow water to ruin the decks.   But if it's superficial I can live with it.     

[wingtime]

Sounds like crazing cracks.  The easy fix is to paint the deck with a non skid such as Durabak or Kiwi Grip.  No big deal.