Preventing Deck Cracks

[Jay Ankers]

The first owner of our CD30 (built in '85) was religious about using Penetrol on all of the non-skid deck surfaces. There are very few deck cracks compared to the other 10+ boats that Tanya and I looked at last year before we purchased "Per Diem." The condition of the gel coat and non-skid was one of the primary reasons we chose the boat we did so I want to keep it that way. Does anyone else have experience with using Penetrol on fiberglass, gel coat, non-skid, etc...to prevent "drying" and cracking?

I have applied it once with a towel, to the nonskid, and it made it look like new. But I don't know if it will help prevent cracks or help them form.

A good wax with Teflon still seems to be the best crack prevention on smooth deck and topside surfaces but wear good deck shoes!


Cheers, Jay
CD30 #344
"Per Diem"



jay.ankers@fluordaniel.com

[Dana]

The first owner of our CD30 (built in '85) was religious about using Penetrol on all of the non-skid deck surfaces. There are very few deck cracks compared to the other 10+ boats that Tanya and I looked at last year before we purchased "Per Diem." The condition of the gel coat and non-skid was one of the primary reasons we chose the boat we did so I want to keep it that way. Does anyone else have experience with using Penetrol on fiberglass, gel coat, non-skid, etc...to prevent "drying" and cracking?

I have applied it once with a towel, to the nonskid, and it made it look like new. But I don't know if it will help prevent cracks or help them form.

A good wax with Teflon still seems to be the best crack prevention on smooth deck and topside surfaces but wear good deck shoes!


Cheers, Jay
CD30 #344
"Per Diem"

_____________________________________________________________________

It's a nice thought. I used to use it before to keep the decks and hull from fading. Never had a problem when I was using it. It might block some of those UVs as well. I am going to look at my Penetrol can label again.

Dana



arenius@aol.com

[JOHN CHURCHILL]

The first owner of our CD30 (built in '85) was religious about using Penetrol on all of the non-skid deck surfaces. There are very few deck cracks compared to the other 10+ boats that Tanya and I looked at last year before we purchased "Per Diem." The condition of the gel coat and non-skid was one of the primary reasons we chose the boat we did so I want to keep it that way. Does anyone else have experience with using Penetrol on fiberglass, gel coat, non-skid, etc...to prevent "drying" and cracking?

I have applied it once with a towel, to the nonskid, and it made it look like new. But I don't know if it will help prevent cracks or help them form.

A good wax with Teflon still seems to be the best crack prevention on smooth deck and topside surfaces but wear good deck shoes!


Cheers, Jay
CD30 #344
"Per Diem"

I USED PENETROL ON MY NONSKID WHICH WAS VERY FADED, ITS ONLY BEEN A FEW MONTHS BUT IT STILL LOOKS GOOD. A HINT- DON'T WALK ON IT UNTIL ITS COMPLETELY DRY. I'VE GOT A COUPLE OF IMMORTAL FOOTPRINTS ON MY DECK.