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Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board
spider cracks on Valley yak
Posted By: liv2padl In Response To: spider cracks on Valley yak (J. Byrne)
Date: Monday, 22 January 2001, at 4:12 p.m.
not to worry ... spider cracking is actually a common phenomenon in boats of that age (and even some newer ones) and occurs at stress points, usually over bulkheads or around hatches. it's the gelcoat that's exhibiting these hairline cracks, not the fibreglass so the structural integrity of the boat is not actually compromised. that said though, fiberglass can absorb water over time and these spidercracks are a source of water entry --- have you noticed that whereas your boat weighed in at 56 pounds when new it weighs 60 pounds now? weigh it -- you'll be surprised. water getting into the fiberglass will expand and contract with heat/cold and cause further cracking. seal up those spidercracks with one of those sealers that penetrate minute cracks and keep a good coat of wax on the boat to further mitigate water penetration. if it makes you feel any better, my NDK Romany is only 4 years old and exhibits spidercracking around the hatches --- course, NDK boats are notably lower in QC than Valley's boats.
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