Sunshine Through Hull!

[BlueFlash]

Hi Guys

Looking at the inside of my hull from inside the anchor locker I can see sunshine through the hull. The inside is painted with grey paint but where they did not paint there is light coming through the gelcoat and fiberglass. This is a Gemini 8.5m made here in Cape Town. They have a good name for solid boat construction but I'm wondering if they skimped on materials when making my boat. When fixing minor dings in the gelcoat I have noticed that it is very thin - I estimate less than 1mm. That makes gelcoat repairs quite difficult.

Do I have a problem here?

Grant

[Erin]

Nothing to worry about IMV. Fibreglass is somewhat translucent, including gelcoat to a degree. The gelcoat is only a UV protector to limit degradation of the fibreglass and provide a pretty finish. 1mm thick should be quite acceptable I would have thought, as it doesn't provide any real structural benefit.

[alystra]

Originally Posted by Erin

Nothing to worry about IMV. Fibreglass is somewhat translucent, including gelcoat to a degree. The gelcoat is only a UV protector to limit degradation of the fibreglass and provide a pretty finish. 1mm thick should be quite acceptable I would have thought, as it doesn't provide any real structural benefit.

Agreed. Nothing to worry about. The lay up resin is clear. I was told that pigments, which would make it opaque, tend also to make it slightly porous and so are avoided. Gel coat is relatively brittle and if too thick will tend to crack or craze.