Filling in davit mountin holes on swimplatform

[Skuza]

I would like to move the davits on our swimplatform as they will not work with our current dinghy. The previous owner installed them and they are too far apart. I honestly don't know how he installed his dinghy because the curvature of the platform sticks out so much that the boat hits in the middle before it comes close enought to be hooked into the davits. I would like to remove them and move them closer to the center or install new ones. I am wondering what the proper way to fill the old holes in would be. I'm assuming that just gel coating them in is not the proper way. Is there an epoxy or something that I could fill in the majority of the void with and then put the gel coat on top? Or could I get away with 5200?? I want it to look alright when done so what would you guys recommend? The holes are going to be in the grit-style non-skid area on the platform also.

 

[Escapade]

The greater concern on patching those holes would be moisture from the bottom up. Ask your boat yard for some milled fibers or chopped strand fiberglass. Before you start I would consider using a polyester becuase the viscosity will allow for the resin to seep into the core and not alow for moisture penitration. Brush in the catalyzed polyester then make a paste with the milled fibers and fill the holes just below the top surface. Rough up the bottom with 80 grit and put a small fiberglass patch on the bottom of each. For the gel coat patch. If I remember correctly the non skid on your boat is a spatter type texture. You can mimic this in gel coat with a small brush. Brush over the hole and let the gel coat start to gel or thicken. When it is in this state stipple the texture back on. Then spray over the patch with Prevail it is a PVA spray that will allow the gel coat to cure with a hard finish. Brush gel over the bottom as well and spray it with the PVA too. The next dayt the PVA will wipe off with water and you with have a nice finish. Ohh- if you have never done this before test on wood or cardboard.

Spetrum gel coats make patch kits for gel coat, nice kits.

Good luck!

Mike