cover causing cracks in gel?

[Flat Broke]

Pulled the cover on the Scarab today only to find 2 cracks running lengthwise up the dash. They weren't there earlier in the year, and last time I checked, stress cracks dont happen sitting in the driveway. The only thing I can think is that the cover is causing them. Its stored outdoors for now, but under a good sunbrella cover. Anyone have a similar experience?

Looks like I'll be dragging it down to OC Boat repair before the season gets going :grumble:

 

[UCBMW]

I can't see the cover causing that at all.

Stress cracks are caused by stress. I've seen hundreds and it's either from rough water, docking impacts, trailering (rough roads, etc..) & Wake Towers, but I don't think that last one would pertain to yours.

They happen and my guess would be trailing if they weren't there before. Think of the amount of stress the hull endures while driving 70mph down the freeway, Age + Weight.

 

[Flat Broke]

I could see trailering... if they were there when I got the boat back from the last trip, but these cracks appeared after the boat had sat for a couple months. They weren't there when the cover went on after it came home from the last trip, or subsequent to that when I had the cover off. Just appeared between the last time I cleaned the boat and covered it, and pulling the cover this last time.

Thanks for the input though, as I could see any of your suggested possible sources being possible.

 

[RUNNINHOTRACING163.1]

I can't see the cover causing that at all.

Stress cracks are caused by stress. I've seen hundreds and it's either from rough water, docking impacts, trailering (rough roads, etc..) & Wake Towers, but I don't think that last one would pertain to yours.

They happen and my guess would be trailing if they weren't there before. Think of the amount of stress the hull endures while driving 70mph down the freeway, Age + Weight.

great post :thumbsup




ROCK ON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=190765843946





http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=190673176073





http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=190649028759





http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-BOAT-TR..._Accessories_Gear&hash=item3cb4089d56&vxp=mtr





ITS A SKATER NATION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :champagne :champagne

 

[alohajeff]

I am not saying that your cover is the cause of your cracks... I am just relaying my own experience.

I purchased my Spectra from the 2nd owner who had taken the boat with him when he relocated to Florida for retirement. The owner eventually bought a smaller ski boat for the lake he lived on to replace the Spectra. Apparently nobody in Florida knew what a Spectra was so it sat unused for 2 years. The owner thought he did the right thing by covering the boat with the canvas cover and a plastic tarp. He said the canvas leaked and in an effort to keep the rain out he put the tarp on. Well long story short the boat has 100's of "cracks" where the cover and tarp were stuck firmly against the surface of the boat. These are NOT all stress related cracks. It looks more like the scales on a dry lake bed. The paint and old gel lifted and curled up. He told me that it wasn't like that when he covered it and I believe him. You can clearly see that the cracked areas match where the cover and tarp were tight against the boat. I've seen quite a few Spectra 20's and 24's and I know they do like to crack in lots of places. Mine however is covered in cracks where there should be no cracks. The pattern is no coincidence. It looks like water was trapped between the boat/canvas cover/plastic tarp and air never had a chance to circulate through there. That moisture combined with the heat in Sunny central Florida ruined the deck and part of the dash of the boat.

Aloha