Hmm, searching through some lengthy ras threads with
posts from whom I consider knowledgable glass-repair
individuals...this statement below does not seem to
be the consensus.

At 15:06 31 March 2006, Nimbusgb wrote:
Gel coat keeps the UV off the structural laminates
and protects against
moisture absorbtion into the glass. In the UK I have
had inspectors
threaten to ground an aircraft with gelcoat at the
very early stages of
deterioration and I have had inspectors not even pass
comment on
gelcoat obviously in need of serious attention.