I have a spot or two on my hull where the white (gelcoat??) have cracked off. I can see fibers of the fiberglass that should be covered buy the white layer.....

So How do I begin to fix this? I would like to get back to a nice white smooth finish.... (evenif the white is not quit the same white as the rest of the boat.

Thanks
Todd Hubbell

The links posted above are great. I'll just add a word of encouragement that gelcoat is very forgiving and really quite easy to work with. Don't be afraid to tackle it--take your time and have fun!

If you're not overly concerned about cosmetics, and just want to fill in the chipped gelcoat, Marine Tex is pretty good stuff. It's an inexpensive epoxy putty that is easy to apply and sands easily too. It comes in white, but it ends up as a flat white, not shiny, so it will be a visible repair.

sm

I've found that gelcoat is no more difficult than Marine Tex for most repairs, especially just filling gouges. I like having the repair blend in with the rest of the hull rather than screaming "REPAIR!" to everyone who sees my boat. Just my .02, but I'd do the gelcoat for sure. West Marine has one that doesn't require covering with plastic to finish out, and the results are very nice.

Gelcoat is really very easy to work with. If there is a small ding I would fill it with formula 27 by evercoat it is polyester based and some people say it is hard to get polyester to adhere well to epoxy(lots of debate on this). Gelcoat is basically tinted polyseter resin so I like to work with like products. West Marine does carry a gelcoat that has wax built in so you don't need to cover it to make it cure(I think they call it finish gelcoat) ;however, I have found that shooting PVA over it helps it to cure and is easy to remove before wet-sanding. Check out www.teamseacats.com Jake has put together a great tutorial for basic repairs.

Zander,
if you repair my boat then you could take some really good pictures and show him step by step.....: )

I think thats a great idea....

T

I'll head toward West Marine to check out they "Finished Gelcoat " patch kit thing.... Hopefully I'll be able to knock this out soon.

Thanks
Todd

I'll be trying the formula 27 on this an couple months......sounds like the problem that you have. I can't justify too much time of effort on a 30 year old boat.

looks like the gelcoat is actually separating from the glass. Or not... maybe it is the lighting. If so, then things are going to get more complicated.

I think it's the lighting. Haven't looked at the boat all winter, but I don't remember separation. Oh well. I have the rest of the winter to research.

I might have forgot to mention..... This is on my new to my Hunter 23.5.... It's still a sailboat, altough a lot slower, its a dry sail in the winter.

Todd

Hello Scuba, welcome to the monohullers anonymous group. My name is Jake and I also own a Hunter. We should be able to help you with your problem but you will have to be open and honest. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I knew I needed help but I wasn't sure If I could make the first step. Now to be open and honest.....

I bought a 1996 Hunter 23.5 at the beginning of December. (the price was right) and I wanted something to put the whole family on. She needs a good cleaning and the wood inside has rotton due to rain water getting into the boat from a broken window. Hopefully I can get everything done for a Mardi Gras Sail.

Wow... I feel better now... So how many other Cat sailer's are in the monohullers anonymous group?

Todd

That's good Jake. Step one acknowlege you have a problem.

Hi, My name is Jim and I sail monohulls...

but only overpowered ones that can plane. Is that so bad? Really- I can stop anytime I want. Anytime. And just because the leadsled is dry (er) and has room for the 48 qt Coleman and has an outboard and your feet stay dry and it won't capsize and its really cold outside but I still want to sail and......... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Who doesn't enjoy spending and afternoon now and a again barying the rail on a leaner?

I have a friend with a Tartan 30, I spend as much time as I can, (which isn't much), sailing with him.

Okay, I'll admit it:

I joined a sailing club where I'm the only multi-hull.

There I said it....I feel much better.

My wife thought I was nuts: "Why would you join this club, you have nothing in common with them and don't you call those things *monoslugs* ?"

Truth be told, I feel ashamed. I'm using them for (temporary) mast-up storage when I can set my boat up for the weekend. In fact last weekend I participated in one of their club races (I was the only cat). They did two laps, I decided to handicap myself and do 3. Beat them all of course ... and at the awards presentation all the mono' guys were very nice when the described me as a "pesky gnat" on the water. But quietly (and seperately) they all wanted to know what it was like flying a hull downwind under spi' and going sooooooooooo fast!

So when are you organizing a "fleet" race for cats? I'd drive up if you throw in lodging. I'd even bring a small amount of cash just in case someone has cards and chips <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />.