Help..



After a nasty capsize, novice crew lifted himself onto hull and placed harness hook into my port hull. The harness hook left a 2" by 1/16" hole that went through the gelcoat, but not all the way through the skin.



I created a patch with west system epoxy. Then used a gelcoat repair kit to cover the epoxy. Now I have a raised patch over the hole.



What is the suggested method to get the patch down to the rest of the hull, and leave a nice smooth finish?

The same thing happened to my I20 except it was stupid me with the hook. I guess I don't flip enough. I used the epoxy like you did but I took a Dremel tool with a deburring bit to grind down the patch to the same level as the glass. This left room to build up to the exsisting gelcoat with new gelcoat. You can't see the repair at all.

Mike I had to make a similar repair to mine and except for the difference in color you can not feel mine. The answer my friend is Sand, Sand Sand (carefully) a good palm sander is a help-- start with 100 grit and finish with 600 - 800 wet sanding. if you sand it flat and discover that there is not enough gel coat to cover the spot then you can either cut a hole or build up the gel coat and live with it. (tough love on a new boat.) call me.

Oh yea, and put masking tape around the patch before sanding to protect the gel around the patch and to gauge how far you are sanding. When you sand away the tape stop with the power tools and start rubbing by hand.

Thanks, for the replys.



I thought more about my question and decided to wet sand with 600 and then 1200 grit.



After about an hour of elbow grease and plenty of water, the fix is smooth. I still need to put some type of polishing compound to bring the shiny finish back.



Thanks again to all

Cel Goat Repair? Whats this about Cel Goat repair? Whats wrong with that goat anyway that you need to repair it?



J/K



MIke, glad the repair is working well. You know me, with my 6.0 that's like the millenium falcon on Star Wars, I'd just caulk it. But, I'm married with children.



'STARBOARD'

Hey Todd,



Notice that I left out the part of the story that caused the nasty capsize???? "PORT!!!!!"...... :-)



BTW, The injury suffered during said capsize has healed. I'm ready to get back on the water....

Will you love birds stop your whinning



BTW who had starboard tack??????

MIke,

Glad to hear your arm is well, you wimp!



Starboard tack, is that an astrology thing?

Oh, that starboard tack. Guess.

Marc, where where you that day?

I'll fess up to being on Port tack. The story goes something like this.....



Novice crew was day dreaming and didn't report starboard boat. Skipper heard a shout, which was "STARBOARD!!!". Skipper emergency tacked the boat while both were hiked out. Boat capsized onto crew and skipper. BOOM was the sound of something hitting Skipper on left wrist (which was verified not broken at emergency room a few hours later, BTW).



While righting the now capsized boat, a hole was punched through by a harness hook.



And now you know the rest of the story......



PS: Anyone planning to attend Spindletop Regatta in Port Arthur, TX on Sept 21 and 22???

Hi,

I put my 15 yeard old "Sail-Safe" brand ball-socket trapeze system on my new boat because I didn't want any holes either. Good thing I held onto them!

Sail-Safe no longer exists (as far as I know), but a similar product can be found at:

http://www.bethwaite.com/bethwaite/accessories/acc_index.htm

I wish enough poeple would abandon the metal hooks so this other stuff would gain enough market share to be mass-produced again.



Steve

Todd

I was enjoying the SE 17 KT wind to Sail the 11 miles to Redfish in under 40 min. What a rush but I do not know how the Worrell guys do it for 5-10 hours..... i was sore.



Mike

My crew is a bit wimpy on racing, I have my kids on the 21st weekend but "it" might switch. If you dont mind giving up your secrets I might be available to crew for spindletop. I'll keep my hook and daydreaming out of the way. which side is startboard any way? is that the front or the back?