Gel Coat Damage

I agree with the advice posted and would like to add that you make sure that
no water is trapped in the hull before you epoxy it shut. Hopefully you are
able to park it with the damaged part at the lowest point and let it drain
for a day or two. If you are able to work on it in warm dry area, even
better. Just make sure you get as much moisture out as possible before you
seal it up.

Bill B

"mgarvie" <mgarvie.DeleteThis@insightbb.com> wrote in message
news:Pt2dnbaSYothXRbanZ2dnUVZ_jqdnZ2d@comcast.net...
> The last day of the boating season on the river my boat broke free from
> the dock and was pushed up the boat ramp. Before I could get to it, the
> bottom of the boat under the transom was scraped down through the gel
> coat. It seem the damage is just past the gel coat and not on a very wide
> area.
>
> Since my wife has LOTS of plans for my money other than on my boat, how
> serious is it to get repaired before I use it again? I no longer use it
> in salt water and never leave it in the water for long periods. Now days
> it only gets used once a week over night to go fishing.
>
 >> Stay informed about: Gel Coat Damage 

"mgarvie" <mgarvie.DeleteThis@insightbb.com> wrote in message
news:Pt2dnbaSYothXRbanZ2dnUVZ_jqdnZ2d@comcast.net...
> The last day of the boating season on the river my boat broke free from
> the dock and was pushed up the boat ramp. Before I could get to it, the
> bottom of the boat under the transom was scraped down through the gel
> coat. It seem the damage is just past the gel coat and not on a very wide
> area.
>
> Since my wife has LOTS of plans for my money other than on my boat, how
> serious is it to get repaired before I use it again? I no longer use it
> in salt water and never leave it in the water for long periods. Now days
> it only gets used once a week over night to go fishing.
>

This is not a major repair. What type of boat is it?
Providing there is no structural damages you can start by removing the loose
gel coat and do a little exploration by hand sanding. Once you have
established that it only the gel coat you can start using filler.
Bearing in mind that this is under the waterline, I suggest two part epoxy
mixed with micro balloon powder. After progressive hand sanding from 100 to
180/220 grit to match the surrounding area. Then you can prime the repaired
area with an two part epoxy primer. Finally you apply the antifouling.
On the other hand I have seen people doing the same type of repair by only
using auto body filler and antifouling.
It is for you to decide. If you have structural damages the procedure is
quite different.
 >> Stay informed about: Gel Coat Damage 

The boat is only a small 16 foot Scout center console. There seems to be no
other damage other than just the gel coat being ground off. Guess I'll just
patch it for now and have someone make it pretty later, after all no one
will see it but the Asain carp just before they knock off my sunglasses
again. What would happen if I use it before I patch it? Would I cause any
other damage?

How does a boat escape? I like catching catfish. My fishing partner likes
catching squirrels. Guess I tied my partner to my wrist better than I tied
up my boat. My partner is a Great Dane.
 >> Stay informed about: Gel Coat Damage 

On Mon, 14 Jan 2008 19:14:13 -0500, "mgarvie" <mgarvie RemoveThis @insightbb.com>
wrote:

>What would happen if I use it before I patch it? Would I cause any
>other damage?

My guess is no. If there is no way for water to soak into coring or
something, it doesn't seem like it would do much harm You will want it
clean and dry when you patch it. You do have the other options of duct
tape, and denial. I would ignore it if I could. I mean, so what if the
barnacles are sneering.

Casady
 >> Stay informed about: Gel Coat Damage 

On Mon, 14 Jan 2008 14:07:22 -0500, "mgarvie" <mgarvie RemoveThis @insightbb.com>
wrote:

> The last day of the boating season on the river my boat broke free from
>the dock and was pushed up the boat ramp. Before I could get to it, the
>bottom of the boat under the transom was scraped down through the gel coat.
>It seem the damage is just past the gel coat and not on a very wide area.
>
> Since my wife has LOTS of plans for my money other than on my boat, how
>serious is it to get repaired before I use it again? I no longer use it in
>salt water and never leave it in the water for long periods. Now days it
>only gets used once a week over night to go fishing.
>

If you slap a glass patch on with polyester resin, I guarantee it will
lift and leak within a season. Go with the majority view and use
epoxy over roughened surface.

Brian W
 >> Stay informed about: Gel Coat Damage