Posted: 16 Sep 2011 at 1:14pm
I have noted on my forward hatch and the aft hatch that the fiberglass around the hinges has cracked the thin gelcoat and has spider line fractures that flex upon opening. Has anyone got any recommendations of how to reinforce these areas?


Posted: 18 Sep 2011 at 12:15pm
Is it from flex or just wear? The hinges I have are rather small....I just sanded down in preparation for paint.


Posted: 19 Sep 2011 at 9:54am
I think it is from flexing upon over opening


Posted: 19 Sep 2011 at 2:13pm
are you going to paint?


Posted: 19 Sep 2011 at 4:35pm
I intend to paint, but I would like to reinforce the hinge areas with fiberglass on the inside, then paint over that with a good topcoat paint like Interlux Perfection.


Posted: 19 Sep 2011 at 10:19pm
I don't really know how I would go about making that stronger....whatever paint us choose don't use interlux brightsides!!!!! EVER!!!

(drama story to hit dolphin24.org soon)

I would think that it is somewhat supported by the forward mast support....but that is a few inches back...could just be 40 year old gel coat.

Gel coat keeps curing and shrinking throughout its life, and it its even a little to thick will spidercrack.


Posted: 20 Sep 2011 at 2:56pm
We all like drama. Look forward to the stories of what not to do. However, Interlux recommends Brightsides for non-deck surfaces, ie above waterline but below toe rail. Their 333 paint is recommended for trafficked surfaces and deck paint over fiberglass. Are you familiar with Awlgrip? 2 part epoxy systems have greater wear resistance and gloss preservation overall.


Posted: 21 Sep 2011 at 12:00am
I'm a bit down on interlux at the moment. (they also make awlgrip)

they have a support forum, and no where in the months of prep and painting did they ever suggest it was unsuitable.

They even make a nice nonskid additive for use with perfection AND brightsides.

I'm looking into sterling, I've heard very good about them....interlux....not so much, not my favorite people.

I will get it all down with pics soon.


Posted: 11 Jun 2012 at 9:14am
Just a note of conclusion on my thread. I made the egregious error of not securing the forward hatch when I trailered it and the wind blew it open, fracturing the fiberglass around the hinge area. After kicking myself more than a few times, I bought the West Fiberglass kit from Jamestown Distributors and set out to make repairs. Just one layer of cloth with epoxy did wonders in creating a very stiff edge to hinge to. Finished it with fairing compound, sanded and painted with Brightsides white, and the end product was as good as new. I ordered new Perko hinges from West marine that matched the originals. I installed a solar powered Nicro mini-vent in the center of the hatch as well. I no longer dread working with fiberglass!