Gel coat cracking on 2000 Triton-Anyone else having this problem?

TAP · September 23, 2009, 07:58:25 AM

Anyone else having this problem??

I have a 2000 Triton 186 that the gel coat has been getting hundreds of tiny white cracks on the right gunwale since 2008, when I first noticed it. It has been getting progressively worse since I discovered it, and spreading to the rest of the gunwales. So far neither the factory nor my dealer have been able to tell me what the problem is. I have kept the boat either in my garage or under a boat cover except when I have used it. The boat has been waxed several times. The gunwale color is forest green.
Any solutions to this problem? I never have seen this on any other fiberglass boat. I generally am satisfied with the boat, but this problem is making the boat more unsightly every day and me more unhappy.
TAP
9/25/2009

Apparently Triton is not going to stand behind their product. I got word from my dealer that the damage isn't covered under warranty. No word from Triton to me, even though I contacted them again earlier this week via e-mail, as to what the exact problem is and how to fix it. When I first bought my boat Triton was very supportive in fixing problems. I calculate that the boat has been out in the sun no more than 250 days since I purchased it; the rest of the time it was under a boat cover or in a garage. Pretty poor performance, IMHO. I'm going to try to post the pics of the damage to see if anyone can tell me what it is and how to fix it.
Something for other Triton owners to be aware of. . . .

Wildcat26 · September 23, 2009, 09:20:41 AM

MY Skeeter did that when it was a year old. First thing the dealer asked me was had I hit anything to put stress on it. The factory took back the boat, ground down that side and refinished it. Its been a couple of years and the problem has not returned.

I do not know if there is any other answer but to tear it down and rebuild.

TAP · September 23, 2009, 09:33:47 AM

Thanks much! I sent an e-mail (again) to Triton on this issue. Maybe they will finally come up with an answer. This looks more like deterioration, rather than damage from stress, IMHO.
TAP

tritontr21225 · September 30, 2009, 09:34:42 PM

Quote from: TAP on September 23, 2009, 09:33:47 AM
Thanks much! I sent an e-mail (again) to Triton on this issue. Maybe they will finally come up with an answer. This looks more like deterioration, rather than damage from stress, IMHO.
TAP

I have a 1998 Tr21 that started doing this same thing a couple of years ago not sure what caused it, I also would like to hear from other Triton owners to see how they addressed this issue of the cracking. mine is down both side from the back up to just past the console then it stops there.

tsmith35 · October 01, 2009, 02:50:12 AM

I've read some good information about this problem lately. Take a look by Googling for gelcoat crazing

White Lightening · October 13, 2009, 08:54:42 PM

I have a 2000 TR21 and it to is cracking and doing the same thing as yours. Interested in what you find out.

basnbud · November 08, 2009, 02:56:02 PM

My 2001 TR186 is doing the same thing also. The last guy that had it had the top cap replaced because of the same problem, however, he used it on the potomac river and it gets rough on that place. so it may have been from the many many waves he bounced it over (and through a couple of times)

As for me, I don't shy away from the rough water as much as I should I guess, That could be why it's doing it again. I don't know. They can't stay pretty forever.

Basnbud

White Lightening · November 20, 2009, 09:48:44 AM

Yea, i know what you mean about fishing the Potomac. I just started to fish it and the waves do get pretty brutal here. I've gone through some monster swells since ihave been on it. I think it is a contributing factor in the cracks. I try and sloow down now for them.

Helomd · January 21, 2012, 07:04:58 PM

I have a 2001 TR21 that is starting to do the small stress cracks just in front and behind both consoles. I have taken some monster waves in tourny's that had me tightning screws all over my boat after. I think the boat just flexs too much for the gel coat and causes the cracks.

Buzbait88 · January 21, 2012, 07:31:29 PM

Its called spider cracks or stress cracks. It could be a problem with the gelcoat mixture. It happens because the gelcoat does not have any give to it where the fiberglass underneath does. The fiberglass will flex and return to its original shape, but the the gelcoat won't. It can be caused by any abrupt force to the boat or in some cases I suppose it could be caused by a bad mixture in the gelcoat.

gsxrfanim · February 28, 2012, 10:32:06 AM

I have a 1998 TR 20 that has this problem only on the back left gunwhale. About a 2 foot section.

hughesm6 · March 02, 2012, 01:25:01 PM

I also have a 2000 TR21 and have developed cracks just aft of the console on both sides. Otherwise I haven't noticed any other issues with the gel coat