cracks in my bilge

berth control

berth control

New Member
Nov 16, 2008
886
Saugatuck, MI
Boat Info
1985 270 Sundancer
Engines
3.7 liter Mercruisers
I was cleaning my bilge yesterday, it is finally above freezing here! I noticed some cracks down there and was able to pull up a little piece of what looks like a not so glossy gelcoat. Maybe it is just thick paint since it was in the center of the bottom of the bilge, it's the same color grey as all the other surfaces in the bilge and about as thick as a playing card, maybe two. Under the piece is shiney - looks like it was just laid yesterday and solid as a rock - fiberglass. No wood coring that I can see with a light shining into it.

Should I worry? It seems like nothing, but I don't know.
 
Take the chip of grey gell coat to the marine shop and have 'em match the color.

Redo the area once it warms enough for the material to work properly.
 
Sea Ray used a waxy finish gelcoat to repel water. I think the color is "bilge gray". Regular gelcoat won't match even if you get it color matched at a marine shop due to the difference in sheen. Get a Sea Ray dealer to order you a quart of Bilge gray to do your repair.

BTW, even bilge gray isn't going to match exactly due to the age of the original gelcoat.
 
It is strictly cosmetic and can be painted on with a brush when the temps are warmer.
 
Thanks guys, I appreciate it. I was worried when I first saw the crack, it's the only one in on the inside of the hull. There are lots of other cracks, but they are all up on the plywood flat sections that the batteries, water heater, charger, ect. sit on alongside the engines. I'll have to get it fixed when it warms up
 
Had the same issue i the aft bilge. The cracks ran under the base plates of the raw water through hull fittings ... no way i was going to risk the hull with that going on. Removed the fittings, and chippe dout the old gelcoat and repaired with below waterline West Epoxy. The color doesn't match, but I like it better as it is very light grey. I can now see dirt in the bilge and get it cleaned out before pumps clog.
 
Asureyez said:
Had the same issue i the aft bilge. The cracks ran under the base plates of the raw water through hull fittings ... no way i was going to risk the hull with that going on. Removed the fittings, and chippe dout the old gelcoat and repaired with below waterline West Epoxy. The color doesn't match, but I like it better as it is very light grey. I can now see dirt in the bilge and get it cleaned out before pumps clog.
Click to expand...

Chad,

Just cleaned my bilge today - guess what - cracks in the gelcoat in the sump aft of the pump. So its on my "punch" list as well!
 
Same problem here on my 06....surface cracks in aft bilge. Some chipped off the other day and its shinny smoth underneath like egg shell...seems to be common
 
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