Are Decks More Prone to Cracking in Freezing Temps?

[Buoy]

Hi all. A potential buyer is coming this morning to look over one of my Whalers. It's only 17 degrees out and I'm wondering whether the decks are more prone to cracking in these freezing temps. Once I made the mistake of kneeling on the cushions of our 1989 22 Outrage during freezing temps and it cracked the vinyl so now I'm a bit paranoid ;-)

Can walking on the decks in these freezing temps cause any cosmetic damage or cracking?

[Jefecinco]

I doubt that simply walking around on cold decks will cause cracking. Many/most materials become more brittle when very cold. I would think gel coat is not immune. If a hard object, say a wrench, was dropped onto a gel coat surface I believe the surface would be more apt to crack in 15 degree weather than in 80 degree weather. This is pure speculation as I've never experienced such a situation.

[jimh]

I can't comment on the deck strength in cold weather, but I would suggest that the sales price will be lower in lower temperatures.

[Buoy]

Jeff, thanks.

Jim, you're too much..--I laugh aloud--

[Phil T]

No cracking or damage.

Warning - The non-skid gets clogged with ice making the deck very slippery. Falling on a cold deck hurts more than when warm. This was one of the reasons I covered the entire deck with Dri-Dek.