Fiberglass boats are durable, and they can easily withstand multiple seasons of pounding against harsh waves. Most of these boats must have their hulls repaired at one point or another, however. If you have a fiberglass boat, here's when you should have it inspected by a knowledgeable fiberglass boat repair specialist to see whether any parts need to be fixed.

Your Boat Collides With Something

If your boat ever forcefully collides with another object, the boat's fiberglass obviously should be inspected. Potential collisions include:

• Striking the bottom of a body of water
• Hitting a partially submerged log
• Being in an accident with another boat
• Falling off the trailer when towing
• Getting hit by a tree branch while being stored

Any collisions could puncture, crack, or weaken the boat's fiberglass, depending on what object the boat collides with, what angle the object is at, and how forceful the collision is. Even if you don't notice an immediate problem, the start of one could become worse with time.

You Notice Hairline Cracks on the Hull

When you clean the underside of your boat's hull, check for extensive hairline cracks. These cracks are often only superficial, but some can present more serious problems. Many boaters can't distinguish between superficial and serious ones, but a boat fiberglass repair service can.

Your Boat Takes On More Water

Boats regularly take on water. Water can seep into the hull if a boat takes waves over the bow, if wets swimmers climb on board, or if the weather rains. Water can also seep into the hull through tiny cracks in the fiberglass, though.

Should your boat begin taking on more water than usual, first consider any plausible explanation. Have you been using the boat more and in rougher seas than usual? Has there been extensive rain while the boat was uncovered?

If you can't think of another plausible explanation, get the hull inspected for minuscule cracks that are leaking. Without another obvious reason for the excess water in the hull, leaks become increasingly likely.

You Recently Bought the Boat

If you recently bought a used boat, have the hull and all other components inspected before taking the boat out on the water. You don't want to find out that there are leaking fiberglass cracks or that the engine doesn't work when you're a mile away from shore.

Ideally, you should have a comprehensive inspection of the hull, engine, steering, and lights performed before purchasing the boat.

Contact a local boat body damage repair service to learn more.