88 procraft

First let me say there are some remarkable restorations on this page. I have an 88 procraft 1780 thats in super shape with the exception of some spider cracks in the gell. They are most noticable on the bow by where the trolling motor is mounted as well as on the passenger side by the grab bar. I've wet sanded and buffed the whole top cap and it made a huge difference but the spider cracks are still visible. Is there a clear gell coat that I could apply to these areas that would fill them and make them less noticable? Any ideas on how best to fix these would be great. Thanks everyone
Joe

I'm not positive on the repair procedure, but my guess is you would have to sand until you removed the spider crack, and then apply a top coat. My guess is the spider cracks are probably just in the gelcoat only. You would have to sand them out and reapply the gelcoat. If you don't sand them out, they will just re-appear again, as the crack has already been started. They may re-appear anyhow if repaired properly. A boat flexes under use and since the gelcoat is rigid, it causes the stress cracks. I think all older boats have them. It seems to come with age. My boat also has them in the same areas as yours. I have done nothing with mine and they don't seem to get any worse.

I'm not really sure if it is worth the headache to fix them as they will probably re-appear with boat use.

Thanks Mike

Is the boat metal flake?.....You can stop fractures "somewhat" if you go to the end and drill a small hole in the gel coat.
then you need to router them fill and spray new gel... it is quite a job, and no guarantee they will not return.

Hi Chuck

Thanks for the info. Yes its metal flake and in sweet shape with the exception of a couple of those spider cracks. The one on the cap by the trolling motor is the one that bothers me most as one end of it runs along the top edge of the cap for 6 inches or so. Its ashame and I'd really like to get something done about it. I thought maybe the cap was loose on the bottom in that area because if you hit it with the palm of your hand it sounds different then on the other side. I'm the second owner and when I got the boat the trolling motor bracket was loose and I think that this may have something to do with the crack. Thanks