Repairing Cracks in Pursuit How to??

[Drax21]

So I was warned when buying the pursuit that the gel coat and fiberglass isn't very strong in fact gel coat has become flaky and now on the right side I have a small but long crack. Can;t picture as its very small but very noticeable when lifting the boat. Pretty much the Hull needs re-enforcing. What is the best stuff to use? Also what can I use to fill the crack on the outside?

[JIM MARCUM]

Check my post on Victory 51 Cat. JIM MARCUM

[Drax21]

Check my post on Victory 51 Cat. JIM MARCUM

Thanks will see if I can find some vinyl ester

[JIM MARCUM]

DRAX21, A sidenote about most Chinese boat hulls. I own a 56" Segad, Proboat BlackJack, a Miss GEICO, an Apparition, three gas hydros and other Chinese hulls. All share the same weakness along the hull seams where the upper half is bonded to the lower half. To get that "cool" looking smoothe, flat seams they have a very thin - if any - fiberglass overlap along the inboard seams. Pro boat uses two pryamid shaped thin 3/16" softwood stringers. Lousy design. See the attached pic of my Miss Geico. The cracks in the canopy and seal are because they use cheap plastic. Many people I know have had the canopy & seal crack & fail. If Proboat would use Lexan (i.e.: R/C cars) it would cure that problem.

All FE boats hulls will flex if run hard. Eventually, the hull will develop cracks along the seams which will grow over time. To stop the cracks before the begin, glass in 2" wide fiberglass tape along the seams inside. Do one side, let it set up, then the otherside. You won't be able reinforce all the seams, but this will give you a fighting chance.

The strongest hull designs have the upper half overlap the lower half for a sold bond. Take a look at any Aeromarine hull to see how they do it. I've owned 7 Aeromarine boats and NEVER had one develop a flex crack anywhere. Small cracks in the gelcoat yes. Cracks in the fiberglass no. There are other boats with similar designs out there. JIM