Fiberglas Deck Repair

[seeray96]

My 1995 Sea Ray 500DA has cracks spreading from 3 stanchions on the stbd side, and the process is beginning on the port side. I had a fiberglas tech look at the damage, and he said it's typical for a Sea Ray and repair will be a major effort, which I do not doubt. One of the problems is that he anticipates a 3 week project, and, of course, the temp must be warm. So, I anticipate limited boating here on Lake Erie this season.

Anyone have any words of wisdom, recommendations, etc?

 

[rduhon]

I have seen quite a few boats with gelcoat cracks, that caused no harm.
It looks ugly, but most fiberglass repair men say as long as it is only the gelcoat, nothing really bad will come from it.
I had some on a Proline I had, on the transom on both sides of the outboard, it had a 7 year warranty.
They said there was no problem with them, but I forced the issue and made them repair them under warranty.

Issue on your boat is why that area. There shouldn't be a lot of stress up on the front deck. Unless it hit a piling or dock.

 

[seeray96]

I bought the boat in 2004, so I there's a 10 yr period of prior owner(s). The guy that sold it to me was absolutely meticulous about maintenance, upkeep, etc. However I think there were one or two prior owners. The survey may have overlooked what was then a "non-issue." Anyway, for now I'll do what the the fiberglass guy has recommended - caulk around the stanchions.
Do know of a good "spiderweb" crack treatment?