Spider cracks in your gelcoat are telling you something
Hairline cracks, star cracks around fittings, chips off the bow. They're easy to ignore. The question is why they're there.
Clear price in writing before we start. Nothing goes ahead without your OK.
Sound familiar?
- Hairline or spider cracks around cleats, rails, hatches or corners
- Cracks that run in lines or keep getting longer
- Chips off the bow, the rub rail or the transom
- Cracks that come back after someone patched them
What it really means
A crack in the gelcoat is often the sign, not the problem. Underneath there might be a fitting working loose, a panel flexing, or damage from an old knock. Patch over it without finding the cause and it cracks again.
A structural problem hides
Cracks can come from the hull or deck flexing. That needs fixing before it gets worse.
The cracks spread
Every time the boat flexes, the cracks get longer, and water gets into the fibreglass.
The boat loses value
Buyers and surveyors spot cracked gelcoat straight away. It knocks real money off the price.
How we fix it
We find out why it cracked first, not just where.
We fix the cause: stiffen the panel, re-bed the fitting, or repair the damaged fibreglass.
The cracks are ground out and filled, then colour-matched gelcoat goes over the top.
Lots of cracks over a big area? We respray the whole panel, because patches on old gelcoat won't match.
Why people bring it to us
"Very knowledgeable and approachable. He fit me in at fairly short notice and was flexible when the job expanded. The craftsmanship was excellent."
"I had my Haines Hunter V16R rebuilt by Sam and the team. The workmanship is absolutely excellent."
Straight answers
How much will it cost?
Send us close-up photos and one of the whole area for a guide price. A firm price in writing comes after we've seen it, before any work starts.
Is it just cosmetic?
Sometimes it is. Sometimes it isn't. We'll check and tell you straight which one you've got.
Will the repair show?
We colour-match every repair. Where old gelcoat has faded a lot, we'll tell you before we start whether a patch or a panel respray will look right.
How long will it take?
Small repairs are often a few days. We'll give you dates when we price it.
Send us photos for a guide price
- 1. Send photos. Fill in the form and attach 3 or 4 photos, or text them to 0429 062 114 or email info@theisc.com.au. One close up, one of the whole area.
- 2. Get a guide price. Sam looks at the photos and comes back to you.
- 3. Bring it around. We take a proper look and give you a firm price in writing. Nothing goes ahead without your OK.
We're not the cheapest on the coast, and we don't try to be. We do it properly and stand behind it for 12 months.