How to repair damage to the Gel-Coat on the bottom of the hull.
mason
Member Posts: 2 ✭
My 92 Captiva has a small amount of Gel Coat that needs to be repaired. It is on the bottom of the hull most likely it has been worn away from loading and unloading it on the trailer( rubbing the rollers as it starts up the bunks). The Gel-coat has rubbed off along the middle of the hull where it first contacts the rollers as it slides onto the bunks it is not visible unless you get under the boat, as it is past the bow and almost half way down the center of the hull. There is no glass damage just a 1/2 wide stripe of smooth worn through gel coat 3-4 foot long. Otherwise the boat is in uncommonly good condition having only 187 real hours of use. I am handy and have repaired some gel coat nicks but nothing this size and nothing that would have to be done while trailered and working from underneath it. Any tips tricks and where to get products would be greatly appreciated. Someone told me there was a pre-made attachable guard that you can use to cover the area and give it additional protection, but I have not seen any products like it.
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howardrams
Member Posts: 223 ✭✭✭
Mason, I've never needed it but there's an adhesive strip called "keelguard" which is good for people with center roller trailers. There's an epoxy putty called "marine-tex" which works ok. Both are usually available through either Overton's or West Marine. -
MarkB
Member Posts: 3,976 ✭✭✭✭✭
It will be thin on either side of that worn strip as well, so the minute you were to sand, it would expose that. To be honest I would call in a pro. They can spray on the gelcoat and then sand even. If you do the gel by hand, there's a very high chance it won't look good, and it may be put on too thick as well, which is another problem.Boat Name: King Kong
"Boat + Water = Fun"
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Boat Name: King Kong
"Boat + Water = Fun"