CONTINUOUSWAVE

The hull of my 1965 16-footer has cracks in the gel coat layer throughout the boat, and in some areas the fiberglass laminate is exposed. I plan to repair this damage with either or both of these products:

• TotalBoat Structural Repair Putty, Marine Grade Long Stranded Fiber Fiberglass Reinforced Filler, or
• TotalBoat-409337 TotalFair Marine Epoxy Fairing Compound for Fiberglass, Wood, Aluminum and Steel

Photos would really help us.

Is the exposed fiberglass on the top of the transom? If so this is called the "green line".

Again, photos would help.

if the cracks are very small and short, they are called crazing. These are superficial.

If the cracks are thicker (wider than your finger and radiate from a screw, fitting or past damage, they are spider cracks. Again, superficial. You will need to grind each crack out a bit and then fill, fair, sand and the cover with gelcoat. NOT paint.

Most owners leave both of these alone and the work required to properly correct the gelcoat is extensive/expensive and not worth the effort or cost.