Stress Cracks in Hull

There are literally hundreds of reasons for a stress fracture to occur and in any incidence it would have to be assessed as to why. Gel coat stress cracks are usually exterior and occur between the laminate of fiberglass and the gel coat. Quality resins and barrier coats help, though will never prevent them. It is an inherent nature of the beast only overcome by eliminating travel or flex in any laminate and that is a double edge sword as it can move flex to another point and move a potential for a fracture to another location. In todays world they simply can not be totally eliminated. And many are some how impact related which fiberglass leaves no dent like a car fender, and knowing where it happened becomes nearly impossible. Most here know that in the earlier BCB models stress fractures, as well as blistering, were almost eliminated by quality of resins. The EPA and MACT standards for fiberglass eliminated the ability to use some high quality resins in more than a 5% content in raw goods of Vinyl Ester resins, which is simply not enough to address the issues. Thus stress fractures and shearing are a more present topic on all brands. We do our best to find the balance for flex cracks prevention without going overboard to a point where boats weigh too much to run with performance expected by BCB owners. That balancing act is another reason why we find ourselves tweaking all hulls as we can to pick tenths of a MPH on every model. Newer marine resins continue to be more loaded with cost efficient additives to drive resins carrying ability, that are less flexible than older resins. Those additives are replacing styrene that we can not have in substantial quantities to allow the resins to flow, so basically these are a reducer. The lack of those reducers will not allow the use of higher grades of resins which BCB prefers. Thus manufacturing techniques must adjust where they can, small flake in 2013 is one area where BCB has adjusted and will see less fracturing with small flake product. The resin companies have little ability to gain carrying capacity, though time has passed after MACT was a new regulation by the EPA, now since 2004 and things are improving. The economy slowed this greatly also as 2007 really shut down development when resin companies went into survival mode as resin use fell to 30% of normal and Companies consolidated or just went out. Rising oil prices and lower production simply halted development on product after MACT. The last straw to break probably was Valspar leaving the geloat business this year. Thank you EPA! The bright side is that BCB uses one of the highest respected marine resins in the business and over the past two years has continually tried to improve resin integrity. This focus was discussed with dealers at the Excellence In Action 2013 dealer meeting and commitments were made to be even mor diligent in the efforts. Presently a 7% more flexible resin has been opted for on newer product with a much better profile. BCB is presently working to move this bar further and is testing many resins at this time. Top down BCB is on a mission to do something outside the box on resins to eliminate problems and with any luck they can achieve this within the coming near term. Even if the resin were offered as an option as costs were prohibitive all alternatives are being considered. There have been four different product meetings on this topic within the past week with resin companies.This is way more than you asked in your question, though a stress crack question or post always gets hundreds of peoples eyes on it and those eyes are looking to see the problems listed. This is why the answer is so broad, as everyone looks at a stress crack post. Our reputations are on the line with the mere mention and no be knows what the circumstances are around unknown incidences. Thus an open post like this drives opinions many directions.Last edited by Bass Cat Boats on August 23rd, 2012, 1:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Those are nothing.The strake ones you can make functional and safe over 2 or three apps of gelcoat mixed with marinetexThe nose one is a stress fracture that clear coat wont fix but I doubt is deep or of consequence-C.O.D. Jr. III

Those are impact related. BCB