Swim Platform Fiberglass repair

Jeff Intermesoli

New Member
Mar 29, 2021
13
Boat Info
2003 320 Sun Dancer
Engines
350 Horizons
B3A04CC0-1328-4240-843F-938F7DF5CA39.jpeg
Looking for advice for those who have completed fiberglass repair. Have pretty significant damage on swim platform from spring line coming loose and platform getting caught up on a step.

Doing some research but never did fiber glass work. My thoughts are to tape it in place from the front and grind the back. Build up the back with fabric and epoxy. Then after cured grind front and just fill with epoxy for even surface. Maybe add some chop strand. Any thoughts ?

Hopping once I secure the rub rail it adds stability.
 
Lot of work there but doable. Going to need the boat out of the water to cut and grind from behind. Gel coat color matching is the toughest part. Fiberglass work is not fun and requires a different level of patience. I have done it but prefer to sub it out. I see a bout a $1500 repair 3 days plus haul out in my neck of the woods
 
Thanks for the reply.

The boat is hauled and blocked already as we are up north. Reason I am looking into the repair now. I received a quote for $3,000 for the repair, leading me to research it on my own.

Looks like I can get required tools and material for a few hundred. The rest will just be my time. The gel Coat is the one step Im not seeing to much info on line, how to match color, how to spray on vs brush to cover such a large area. All gel coat work on youtube seams to be for small cracks repairs.

Honestly it doesnt need to be perfect, I feel like Im the only one who noticed it last season.
 
Its a bolt on. I did send an email to swim platform.com to see what a new one would cost. Never received a reply.
 
Thanks for the reply.

The boat is hauled and blocked already as we are up north. Reason I am looking into the repair now. I received a quote for $3,000 for the repair, leading me to research it on my own.

Looks like I can get required tools and material for a few hundred. The rest will just be my time. The gel Coat is the one step Im not seeing to much info on line, how to match color, how to spray on vs brush to cover such a large area. All gel coat work on youtube seams to be for small cracks repairs.

Honestly it doesnt need to be perfect, I feel like Im the only one who noticed it last season.

As mentioned, grind out from behind until that piece is completely free. Grind the entire back of the broken piece and 2" around the opening. Use 3M tape from the front and position the piece back in place. Use matting and cut 2-3 pieces and glass in place. When dry, use a dremel and cut a V into the face grove and use resin with micro balloon or formula 27 putty to fill the grove. Sand and feather in place and then spray Gelcoat with surfacing agent and let dry. Wet sand and buff. Your done. same day.

If you don't have the tools, you could get by with only a dremel if you had to. But you will need the extended accessories with flex extension. Also the sanding/grinding pad. A 4" grinder would need some finesse to get there right.

Use Spectrum color to get the color matched gelcoat. It won't be perfect but real close.
 
You were lucky that's all that happened. While boat shopping I looked at a late 2007 or 2008 340DA with new, brand new, 8.1s. Something about the boat felt off to me. I asked the broker "why the new engines". Similar to you, the spring let go, the swim platform lodged under the dock and the engine compartment filled up with water. I passed on it.
 
You were lucky that's all that happened. While boat shopping I looked at a late 2007 or 2008 340DA with new, brand new, 8.1s. Something about the boat felt off to me. I asked the broker "why the new engines". Similar to you, the spring let go, the swim platform lodged under the dock and the engine compartment filled up with water. I passed on it.

yes, I'm sure it could have been worse. Glad just cosmetic.
 
resin with micro balloon
As mentioned, grind out from behind until that piece is completely free. Grind the entire back of the broken piece and 2" around the opening. Use 3M tape from the front and position the piece back in place. Use matting and cut 2-3 pieces and glass in place. When dry, use a dremel and cut a V into the face grove and use resin with micro balloon or formula 27 putty to fill the grove. Sand and feather in place and then spray Gelcoat with surfacing agent and let dry. Wet sand and buff. Your done. same day.

If you don't have the tools, you could get by with only a dremel if you had to. But you will need the extended accessories with flex extension. Also the sanding/grinding pad. A 4" grinder would need some finesse to get there right.

Use Spectrum color to get the color matched gelcoat. It won't be perfect but real close.

Appreciate the reply. Some additional questions if you dont mind. I have Dremel, Grinder and Sander. Just need to order the material and figured I would also get a respirator.

Was going to go with:
  • Gallon 5:1 Traditional Epoxy Resin
  • 1 Yard 6 oz fiber glass cloth
  • Glass Micro Balloons (based on above recomendation)

Plan to work on it fall/spring when I can but temps will be below 50. Planning to use Total boat fast epoxy and also a portable heater around the area. Will this work? Should I also heat gun? Do I need some additive for the cold?

I have the spectrum color (artic white) gel coat I used for scratches. Do know of any links that show how to use the gelcoat through a sprayer?
 
Appreciate the reply. Some additional questions if you dont mind. I have Dremel, Grinder and Sander. Just need to order the material and figured I would also get a respirator.

Was going to go with:
  • Gallon 5:1 Traditional Epoxy Resin
  • 1 Yard 6 oz fiber glass cloth
  • Glass Micro Balloons (based on above recomendation)

Plan to work on it fall/spring when I can but temps will be below 50. Planning to use Total boat fast epoxy and also a portable heater around the area. Will this work? Should I also heat gun? Do I need some additive for the cold?

I have the spectrum color (artic white) gel coat I used for scratches. Do know of any links that show how to use the gelcoat through a sprayer?

You don't want to use epoxy on this type of repair. You want to use plain old polyester laminating resin like evercoat makes. https://www.westmarine.com/evercoat-polyester-laminating-resin-P004_120_002_003.html

and the matting: https://www.westmarine.com/evercoat-fiberglass-mat-38inch-x-34inch-141598.html?&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=PMax: GSC>Smart_Shopping>Boat Maintenance&gclid=CjwKCAiAk--dBhABEiwAchIwkUUmBIw-BYU6WXYXkHFkWng3nTtahBdPa6WLUzdAJHaGHmfK1FSjQhoC75EQAvD_BwE

microballoon:
https://www.totalboat.com/product/g...7uCpxlVFIJRl4quxyzNrt7nPoQac9M8hoCsyUQAvD_BwE

Yes a respirator is a very good idea, I just assumed you would be wearing one.

Also when you mix the resin and micro balloon together you want it to be a thick paste so it does not run, like putty.

If your going to do this in cold weather below 50 degrees, make sure the surface temp of the platform is above 50. Closer to 80 would be best. A few heat lamps and you could do this in pretty much any temp, it's such a small repair.

You can source the above cheaper if you look around.

For the gelcoat:
https://spectrumcolor.com/

You will need a spray gun to spray the gelcoat a cheap one if fine as you will be sanding after it is applied.

https://www.amazon.com/PNTGREEN-Met...gun&qid=1673305090&sprefix=lvhp,aps,96&sr=8-5

If you don't have an air compressor get an small pancake one from amazon, you need one with a regulator and tank. You can't use a tankless compressor. Any 3gal will work fine. Also use acetone to thin and spray the gelcoat, it can also be used to clean up with. Trust me, people will tell you don't use acetone to thin, for this application it will work perfectly and help with the adhesion. I have done this many times on small repairs. I don't want to get into how to spray, your best bet with that is youtube and practice. Also the gelcoat will need to be thinned a lot.

Another approach from spraying is to roll on and place saran wrap over the finished roll and then you need to sand a but more but that is also possible.

The specrtum site has both methods so read up and good luck!
 
Its a bolt on. I did send an email to swim platform.com to see what a new one would cost. Never received a reply.
For reference, I purchased one for mine last year. Got all of the options included - platform, stainless rub rail, p-handles and pop up cleats. Total cost, including product and shipping was $5200. Install was pretty straightforward, my wife and I did it in a long weekend (Fri haul out, Monday re-splash), plus I added support struts under to support the extra weight of a bigger dinghy.
 
You don't want to use epoxy on this type of repair. You want to use plain old polyester laminating resin like evercoat makes. https://www.westmarine.com/evercoat-polyester-laminating-resin-P004_120_002_003.html

and the matting: https://www.westmarine.com/evercoat-fiberglass-mat-38inch-x-34inch-141598.html?&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=PMax: GSC>Smart_Shopping>Boat Maintenance&gclid=CjwKCAiAk--dBhABEiwAchIwkUUmBIw-BYU6WXYXkHFkWng3nTtahBdPa6WLUzdAJHaGHmfK1FSjQhoC75EQAvD_BwE

microballoon:
https://www.totalboat.com/product/g...7uCpxlVFIJRl4quxyzNrt7nPoQac9M8hoCsyUQAvD_BwE

Yes a respirator is a very good idea, I just assumed you would be wearing one.

Also when you mix the resin and micro balloon together you want it to be a thick paste so it does not run, like putty.

If your going to do this in cold weather below 50 degrees, make sure the surface temp of the platform is above 50. Closer to 80 would be best. A few heat lamps and you could do this in pretty much any temp, it's such a small repair.

You can source the above cheaper if you look around.

For the gelcoat:
https://spectrumcolor.com/

You will need a spray gun to spray the gelcoat a cheap one if fine as you will be sanding after it is applied.

https://www.amazon.com/PNTGREEN-Metallic-Spraying-Professional-Keychain/dp/B07CJ17HFT/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2O1Z7S7JGE4TZ&keywords=lvhp+paint+spray+gun&qid=1673305090&sprefix=lvhp,aps,96&sr=8-5

If you don't have an air compressor get an small pancake one from amazon, you need one with a regulator and tank. You can't use a tankless compressor. Any 3gal will work fine. Also use acetone to thin and spray the gelcoat, it can also be used to clean up with. Trust me, people will tell you don't use acetone to thin, for this application it will work perfectly and help with the adhesion. I have done this many times on small repairs. I don't want to get into how to spray, your best bet with that is youtube and practice. Also the gelcoat will need to be thinned a lot.

Another approach from spraying is to roll on and place saran wrap over the finished roll and then you need to sand a but more but that is also possible.

The specrtum site has both methods so read up and good luck!

Thank you!
 
Appreciate the reply. Some additional questions if you dont mind. I have Dremel, Grinder and Sander. Just need to order the material and figured I would also get a respirator.

Was going to go with:
  • Gallon 5:1 Traditional Epoxy Resin
  • 1 Yard 6 oz fiber glass cloth
  • Glass Micro Balloons (based on above recomendation)

Plan to work on it fall/spring when I can but temps will be below 50. Planning to use Total boat fast epoxy and also a portable heater around the area. Will this work? Should I also heat gun? Do I need some additive for the cold?

I have the spectrum color (artic white) gel coat I used for scratches. Do know of any links that show how to use the gelcoat through a sprayer?
As others have said, you can probably cut the piece out and epoxy back on, filling the cracks in between to match as best you can. Sounds like you're outside. If so, I would wait to do the expox/gel coat part in the spring when it's warmer. You can prep everything now. Good luck.
 
Thanks for all the advice. Did some work today. Ground down the cracks , grinder was a little aggressive. Went with crenel and grinding stones. Sanded the area to hold resin. Cleaned it up and applied a layer of poly resin to the area. Then went back with a few layers of chop strand mat on the back cut small to large. Also had a bracket that had some damage from the stress of being caught up on the deck. Did the same there. Couple layers of mat.

Biggest problem was the temp. Used a few heat lamps and heat gun. I think underside is good. Sand down some a spray a bit.

The micro ballon’s helped thinking up the resin. Just don’t know how much I’m supposed to use. Need to research this a bit more.

The big challenge will be the front part and getting it level and smooth and gel coat to match. Thanks for all the help.
 

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The back needs to have a couple of layers of matting, hard to see from the pic(s) if that is the case or not.

The front, gel coated area needs to have a groove ground into it and fared out about an inch on either side. That area should be micro-balloon polyester resin thickened to the point of almost peanut butter. Then block sanded with 80/120/240 grit, the entire area 2 inches out around that area. Then taped off an inch past that and spray the gelcoat. 2-3 coats and if smooth enough wet sand to blend and match surface height. If not smooth, then 320 until level and smooth then 400/600/800 wet sand and buff.

The reason for all of that is so it won't crack down the line. What you have now will look great at first, but potentially crack before summer is done.
 
The back has 3 layers of matting. I did small piece to cover the cracks, then a little larger and then a 3rd piece over top. The largest piece extends about an inch over each side of the crack.
 
have to grind all of crack out to get it to sit flush and be able to get cloth and resin in cracks. If you can patch from behind it best and most strength there if so. You can cut a access hole in bottom side also to fix correct. But if not then pack with cloth and resin sand flush prime and spray gelkote. spectrum has your color
 
Was finally warm enough to apply the Gel Coat this weekend. Before and after below. By no means perfect but good enough for me, especially with the location. I can say the Spectrum Gel Coat is not a great match, I guess to be expected after the original has been exposed for 20 years. Hopefully the bright white dulls soon and blends.

Thanks for all the help here.
 

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