Gel Coat Stress Cracks on the Fiberglass Hardtops

Rocket

Active Member
Jan 14, 2008
620
Long Island NY
Boat Info
2018 Sunseeker 57 Predator
Previous: 2007 48DA, 2004 420DA, 2007 320DA, 2006 240DA
Engines
Volvo D13 900HP Straight Drive
We have many gel coat cracks on the hardtop. Are these tops engineered to be walked on? I'd assume yes in order to clean, wax and service the electronics. Has anyone had this experience before? I reached out to Searay but did not receive a response.
 
Where is it cracking? You don't see many captains walking around up there. The detailing I've seen done is from a step ladder. Washing is done with cleaning brushes and mops on sticks. Tiara tops are clearly designed for walking around on with non skid surfaces and massive braces. I don't see that on the Dancers. So maybe that's not what the designers had in mind.
 
I have heard from the PO stories of 3 woman in bikinis dancing on my hard top... I wasn't too happy... not that they were dancing up there ....just that I missed it :)

I have been up there a number of times and it feels like its not stressing to support you and I definitely don't have any stress cracks of any kind.
 
I have heard from the PO stories of 3 woman in bikinis dancing on my hard top... I wasn't too happy... not that they were dancing up there ....just that I missed it :)

I have been up there a number of times and it feels like its not stressing to support you and I definitely don't have any stress cracks of any kind.
I've wondered how you get up there. On my boat we walk up the windshield, but that does not seem like an option on the big Dancers. I do like being able to get up on the top to do a good job of cleaning.
 
It's not a pretty sight..you basically climb up the side where the grab handle is and stand on the bow rail and pull yourself up
 
The 48 DA you can climb through the overhead skylight that flips up. you need to be real skinny!
 
Mine has a warning sticker not to go up there or store anything up there. But I have - to change the Nav light globe and to service hatch seal and hatch o-rings, the guy that polishes my boat also goes up there. I stand on the dash and go up through the hatch. No cracks on the top of mine but there are on the curve of the arch on the outside of the screen - so I guess it must be flexing on the curve of the arch - it was that way when I bought the boat.
 
Okay ..that's enough about the "I go through the hatch" stuff...
 
Lol, at 120 kgs I'm not small. Have to put my arms through first, exhale and hope I don't get stuck mid way through and need to breath :p
 
Mike u need to go on a diet. Billy from CMI has been living on my hardtop for years. That said ive been up there way to many times as well. NO cracks . Sorry pal

Rob
 

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