spider cracks in Boston Whaler

[Jaxfishgyd]

We have a 1971 13' Boston Whaler that is on top of our Hatt and the inside is a mass of spider cracks. Sanding them all is not an option,it would take a year, but remember hearing, reading or seeing someplace of a thick paint that will fill in the cracks with just a couple of coats.
Anyone know anything about this? For laughs and giggles I stopped at West Marine today and they had nothing-go figure.

 

[Boss Lady]

I had a buddy who had the same problem with a bass boat, he had it rhino liner coated the same color as the boat, it is non-skid too. Gel coat cracks will transmit through most paint. I am not aware of anything else out there but maybe someone else might know.

 

[Passages]

Cracks are sometimes best left alone.

Often it's the result of inferior gel coat which is applied too thick or cured too brittle. My 1985 Chris Craft Scorpion had a bunch of them, but they were not structural - just ugly. The dealer told me it would not be worth trying to repair.

If the cracks are in a star pattern, it may be a different story. Someone has been tossing anchors in the dink or the coring (foam coring in the case of BW) is failing. If the latter, it should be addressed.

 

[Capt.Erich]

If you just want something to cover the inside of your Whaler, you should consider this product...

http://www.grizzlygrip.com/boats.asp

I have used it on my Jeep and an a work boat that I have. It is UV resistant and has held up for years of abuse and has excellent non-skid properties. It is easy to apply and less expensive than Rhino. Also, it comes in a wide range of colors.

No I'm not a dealer or affiliated with the company... just a happy customer

 

[thoward]

I have a sure fire way to get rid of them.....Give the boat to me... There are high build primers you can use but it still requires sanding. If it is really bad I would check in to the Rhino Liner as well. The only PITAs would be the front hatch and the plug.

I am working on my 13' Whaler as well. I spend way too much time and $ on this boat but there is something about them.

 

[yachtsmanbill]

I need one too -- Ill gladly pick up ANYWHERE. Also need the roof top hoist. I suppose Ill hafta make one--Oh well. ws

 

[Jaxfishgyd]

Would never give it away, have way too much fun with it. Taught my 3 oldest grandkids how to dock it this past summer (aged 12,10 and 8) so it didn't matter if they made a "Randy Dockage".
Have actually "kinda had" the 10 yr old dock the Hatt one time and he did great (uh, not ready to do it alone yet!!!)
Am sanding the outside to repaint and put the name "Ding A Ling" on it (Admiral's idea) then will attack the inside. It came with a 1999 Yamaha 30 outboard and we use nonstop.
Something like the rino or grizzlygrip is what Ilm looking for. Its a FUN boat, not a show boat.......

 

[thoward]

Are you leaving the varnished seats? I think a white Rhino type would do well and look great. Maybe they could add some color flake to match your boat trim. For the hatch and seats you could plane off a little on the ends and no problems. For that matter you could cover them in the trim color but you would need to plane the thickness of both the seats and the hatch as well as the ends.

Dang I think I just found another project......

 

[Jaxfishgyd]

Nope, plan on replacing the wooden seats and front hatch cover with starboard as the wood is in bad condition (will have to do when the admiral is not around as she is opposed to this idea). The wooden console is salvagable.
It does have cable steering, might change it out. Replaced the 6 gal tank last year with a 12 gal one.
Also plan in installing a 48 qt cooler and a live baitwell in it......

 

[Trojan]

I have a friend that has the most shiniest boat at the club. He uses no wax at all he just wipes his boat with mineral oil. He also uses it on his Corvette. It only works on gel coated cars and boat. He claimed that it removes all the spider cracks. I don't know. But his boat sure looks good and so does his vette. The best part it's cheap. It might be worth a try.



bill

 

[Starman]

Just about everything that has gel-coat has spider cracks somewhere. Fiberglass will move, but the gel is harder, therefore you get these cracks.

Covering them with paint or other products is just hiding the problem.

The right way is to take a grinder with a 24 grit flex disk and cut each crack, then fill with an epoxy, prime and paint.

I will admit that I have not seen the rhino liner method used, and can only rely on what has been said here. If it has enough holding power and the cracks do not show up through the liner as it will eventualy do through "just paint " then I say go for it.

 

[Capt.Erich]

The cool thing I found our about the Grizzly Grip is that is is still somewhat flexable and very impact resistant. I painted the inside of my Jeep with it years ago and have tossed wet scuba gear, tools, fire wood, etc. and have never had any cracks or chipps in the liner. I also did an old nasty looking work boat with it. After two years of abuse it still looks great. It's a cheap fix that will last a long time.

 

[thoward]

FYI starboard does not hold its shape very well espc in direct sun/heat....I have a 25 Merc and just changed out the steering cable. I went with 2 6 gal tanks so I do not have to carry extra weight or lost room if I do not need it. I am still trying to find a way to install rod holders in a slick way.

 

[luckydave215]

he just wipes his boat with mineral oil

But his boat sure looks good and so does his vette.

And neither one ever gets constipated.....

 

[Freebird]

Would never give it away, have way too much fun with it. Taught my 3 oldest grandkids how to dock it this past summer (aged 12,10 and 8) so it didn't matter if they made a "Randy Dockage".

"Randy Dockage"? You talking about Michael and Tito's brother?

Hey, this old boy has made some "Thriller" dockages in his day. Scared the hell out of a bunch of Sea Ray and Meridian owners when I parallel parked my 41DC in a 4mph current at the Marine Max dock in Chattanooga this past July.

I've owned a couple of Whalers myself 1969 13 and 1992 14 Rage. I still have the Rage that I plan to jump up on top of "Freebird" with. It's a squirt boat with a 50 Yamaha. It's home made of course, that according to State Farm. The Bible (NADA) says there's no such thing, even when I took it to the local office and had them make pictures and list SN's. Must be rare, I'll take $10k for it. No spider cracks either, just a horse's ass.

 

[Jaxfishgyd]

Got 3 coats of paint on the hull this weekend. Temps in the 80's but also looks like all the East is having great weather.
The existing wood is in good enough condition (exception being the hatch cover in the bow) to recondition (OK, the admiral told me she likes the wood so I lose that battle).
Will remove, sand and varnish all of that, which will leave the inside open to redo, be it the rino or grizzly type of paint/spray.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Check out LineX too. I put it in the bed of my John Deere Gator and I like the texture better than some of the others. I'm not sure about colors, though.

 

[yachtsmanbill]

I called Grizzly Grip the other day... They are now in so.fla. after their move from Lockport,Il. 4 miles from here! I asked them if they could send me a sample, and they wanted to know what color. I told them all colors. I received a 10lb package yesterday with about 25 4x4" pcs of linoleum painted with their product. I really like tangeable samples.
Great color selection and I like the finish better than Rhinocoat. The only downside is that a gallon only covers 100 Sq ft instead of 400 for paint. Prices arent too bad either.
I think I will use the light beige for the decks and bright white for inside hull and engine room. Seems pretty bulletproof and VERY U.V. resistant. ws

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I like the looks of that Grizzly Grip. I didn't know anybody sold that stuff to the DIYer. I might just try it next time instead of the LineX.

 

[yachtsmanbill]

About 10 years ago I wanted to rhinocoat the back deck on the Roamer. Back then it was a model T color choice--BLACK. The guy wanted to know when I could bring it in too ! Their stuff needed to be heated and mixed " in shop ". I am glad in some respects how technology has changed things for the better !
That GrzGrp stuff has a bunch of neat colors. Last year a dude painted his '40 Plymouth coupe with the stuff in orange and call his car "orange crush". So bizarre it that it was kewl ! Call them for a sample pac: youll get it in 2 days. ws