Perhaps the extent of the problem has to do w what climate the vessel is in, and whether it is covered or not??
Please consider the environment before printing this email. Thank you.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On May 23, 2025, at 9:27?AM, Allison Lehman via groups.io <allisonleh@...> wrote:
?
Unfortunately Jordan, most 426s and 386s still have some crazing but not a huge amount. ?Its weird as to how it varies.
Allison Lehman
Swiftsure Yachts
allison@...
Cell: 510.912.5800
Fax: 510.860.4640
On May 23, 2025, at 6:56?AM, Jordan via groups.io <jordan.permoda@...> wrote:
Jeff,?
?
I would agree with Bill on this one; you're going to find varying degrees of this crazing. This was most predominant on the 362, 402, and 452's that were built from 1996 to 2003. By the time they launched the 386 and 426 they had transitioned to a new gelcoat and the crazing issue seemed to go away.
?
My understanding of the story, and I'm sure someone in here can do a better job of articulating this...
Many manufacturers; Viking, Cabo, J-boats, Sabre, and others were sourcing their gelcoat from Cook Composites. In the early 90's the EPA issued new regulations which led to Cook Composites removing mercury from their gelcoat. Mercury was the ingredient that gave gelcoat its elasticity characteristics. Removing it meant that as the boat changed size and shape (microscopically) in different climates the gelcoat wouldn't match those changes and thus, would crack. The crazing issues started to present themselves in the early late 90's early 2000's and owners started to complain and file warranty claims. Many of those manufacturers went back to Cook Composites and wouldn't you know it, they went out of business by 2005. I know of one 402 that was totally re-decked by Sabre, and perhaps there are others. That boat was on the market a few years ago with a new awlgrip paintjob and new shiny decks, named 'Egret'.?
?
As for my experience with the situation, my wife and I looked at 5 - 402's in our search, and since buying one have been on 3 more. One of them was awful, and needed to see a grinding wheel and paint booth, 3-4 of them were in rough shape, but if you squinted your eyes, two of them were not bad at all, and one was exemplary. Polish and wax helps hide it. By no means does it fix it, but it puts some make up on the pimples.??
?
Long winded answer - but I hope this helps.?
?
Have fun, even it's just window shopping. :)?
?
Jordan
S402-047
formerly S36-087
?
Lake Michigan
--
Allison
S426 Kingfisher
SF Bay/Pacifc Northwest
