Hull touch up

[1hot87gt]

When we bought our new to us 300DA this past September one of the things that we noticed was a maybe 18-24” by an inch or two wide section all the way in the front of the boat that was worn due to previous owner occasionally beaching the boat in what was a very sandy area he boated in NJ. This guy was very meticulous with EVERYTHING on the boat so this kinda surprised me. Anyway, he had the hull blasted and then barrier coated the season before we bought it. The section in the front that I’m speaking of, small as it may be, is worn through the black bottom paint, the grey and the red layers of paint as well down to the glass underneath. Now obviously I could just touch it up with bottom paint but I’m not sure if that’s the correct way to do it. Should I paint something on it first to sorta seal the fiberglass then bottom paint over it?

 

[BillK2632]

A picture would be good. You say down to the glass, meaning through the gelcoat? Or through the bottom coat layers to the gelcoat? If down TO the gelcoat, just repaint that area. If through the gelcoat and actual fiberglass is showing then depending on how bad could be anything from a simple Marinetex repair to a small fiberglass repair. If it truly is from beaching, I suspect it is cosmetic and a quick sand and bottom paint will fix it up -- but without pictures that is just a guess. The good news is it is covered with bottom paint and does not have to be perfect like a gelcoat repair.

I have never beached any of my boats other than a little skiff we had. If I feel the need to go on a beach, I anchor and wade in.

 

[1hot87gt]

Yeah. I never beached my 22 footer either. Wouldn’t think of beaching this thing either. Plus I both on the North Shore of LI. Very rocky.

Anyway, I will get a pic next time I am at the boat.

 

[GypsmJim]

I beached my last boat nearly every time we went out. After 35 years the bottom part of the stem and front of the keel had some "rash", but it was not thru the gel coat. The boat was trailered so no need to paint the bottom. If the hull is thru to glass, I suspect that there was more than simple sand on the beach.

If the barrier and bottom paint has worn off the "spot", then the spot was either not prepared properly, there is water in the hill that is escaping or the product used simply doesn't bond well with the substrate.

Sounds like a hull repair is in order by a reputable FG specialist.

 

[1hot87gt]

Sorry the pic is sideways. But you can see what I’m talking about.

 

[GypsmJim]

That's not from a sandy beach. It's a beach that should have never been used to "beach" on.

 

[1hot87gt]

That's not from a sandy beach. It's a beach that should have never been used to "beach" on.

I’ve gotta agree with you. Which really surprises me because this guy was so damn meticulous, borderline OCD on everything on that boat, it shocks me he would put the boat on a beach that would do that. But everywhere else including the outdrives look fine. No rash or signs of any type of other impact or impacts. So that’s why I am imagining this happened from beaching. Of course I don’t know this to be fact, but I do have a pic of it he put in the original listing when he was selling it and it was on the beach. So I know he did it at least once.

 

[1hot87gt]

So, with that said. Just some type of sealer and then a few coats of bottom paint?

 

[GypsmJim]

Maybe just seal it with light coat of 5200, and then put on a "keel shield". Then, don't beach it again.

 

[1hot87gt]

Lmfao. Trust me. I boat on the rocky north shore of LI. If I beach it, it’s sinking when I pull it off. 5200? Isn’t that like a silicone product for lack of a better term. What would you do, apply it with a small scraper like you would spackle per sey, and then paint right over it?

 

[GypsmJim]

Lmfao. Trust me. I boat on the rocky north shore of LI. If I beach it, it’s sinking when I pull it off. 5200? Isn’t that like a silicone product for lack of a better term. What would you do, apply it with a small scraper like you would spackle per sey, and then paint right over it?

I wasn't laughing my a$$ off when I typed it.

I am assuming you bought a second hand used boat and it was local. Since I don't know what your local shore looks like, my answer was appropriate, no matter what the composition.

Google 5200. It is the universal "sealer". Touch-up Painting the bottom is a waste of time. A keel guard (trademark) (google that too) would solve your problem and make the hull look good again. It will also protect the stem and keel from further damage, plus ensure that the 5200 didn't wear off.

 

[1hot87gt]

Ok. Great. Thank you. Will give it a shot.

 

[boatrboy]

Ok. Great. Thank you. Will give it a shot.

I’m no fiberglass expert (I’m hopeful some of them here will chime in) but to me 5200 is a sealant, not a Gelcoat repair. I would see if a local fiberglass guy can swing by and look at that. I had to make a repair like that on an older Jetski and used Pettits version of marine Tex.
If that were my boat I probably would repair with Gelcoat and re-bottom paint.

I would get some other opinions here before putting 5200 on it.

 

[BillK2632]

So definitely looks worn through the gelcoat, but there does not appear to be any damage to the fiberglass, just exposed from the gelcoat wear. So disclaimer, I am no fiberglass repair expert, but I have done some minor fiberglass and gelcoat repairs on my own boat. If it were me, I would use fairing compound (from Total Boat, West System etc) to cover/fill/shape the exposed fiberglass area - it does not look like it, but make sure to sand / grind any loose fiberglass first. Then, prime/topcoat the bottom paint. No point in repairing the gelcoat since it is covered with bottom paint. Also, the bottom of your boat is solid fiberglass and very thick in that area - no concerns with coring etc. If you are not comfortable with a DIY on this, it is a minor repair for a professional.

 

[ttmott]

From my experience on another boat I owned years ago - if you can see the glass fibers, the project is a bit bigger - First fiberglass is not waterproof - those glass fibers will allow water to wick into the buildup.
First that area needs to be sanded back a bit - from the pic it doesn't look like the glass needs to be built up any.
Then re-apply the Gelcoat to a substantial thickness and after curing fair that out to profile and smooth with the existing gelcoat.
Then touch up the barrier coat and finally the bottom paint.
Done.
5200 or other adhesives? Don't even consider.

 

[kvduff]

I see a box of Marine Tex and a cheap spreading tool in your. future. Mix, smear, spread, sand, then paint. And I’d never beach a boat on the north shore lol!

 

[GypsmJim]

5200 is indeed a sealer and not a gelcoat repair. Since the glass is exposed it needs to be "sealed". Marine tex is an option but I think 5200 is better. The suggestion to use 5200 was under the assumption that a keel guard would be put on top of it. The other assumption was that a DIY was wanted.

Obviously, a repair by a fiberglass specialist would be the preferred approach, and the cost will reflect the professional's experience.

 

[1hot87gt]

Marine Tex is a great suggestion. Completely forgot about that product. The 5200 and keel guard is not an option not because I don’t think it will work, but I think it will look terrible.

Marine Tex, barrier coat, and bottom paint.

Thanks to everyone who replied.

 

[Skybolt]

From my experience on another boat I owned years ago - if you can see the glass fibers, the project is a bit bigger - First fiberglass is not waterproof - those glass fibers will allow water to wick into the buildup.
First that area needs to be sanded back a bit - from the pic it doesn't look like the glass needs to be built up any.
Then re-apply the Gelcoat to a substantial thickness and after curing fair that out to profile and smooth with the existing gelcoat.
Then touch up the barrier coat and finally the bottom paint.
Done.
5200 or other adhesives? Don't even consider.

5200 is NOT what should be used here. 5200 wasn't made for open patch work. While MarineTex has it's place in the repair world but the only correct repair is to use fiberglass and gelcoat.

What Tom suggest's here is how you need to proceed. I have repaired many, many boats. Re-applying Gelcoat in this situation is easy and after the right prep a roller can be used (Spaying is better). Then block sanded and then barrier coat and the painted again. A weekends work.

 

[1hot87gt]

So you’re saying something like this is a better choice over the Marine Tex? Obviously I want to do the best job I can but have never done this type of repair before.

And hopefully will never have to again.