Would gel coat help

[SweeperForce]

The underside of my hull ahd the gel coat worn off from the trailer. What would be the best way to fix this?





Thanks,
Tom

 

[john from md]

Re: Would gel coat help

This needs to be moved to the non engine maintenance section.

John

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Would gel coat help

Hard to tell from the photo, but I don't think your gelcoat is worn off. That appears to be transferred material from that black keel roller. If you removed that black stuff, I'll bet your gelcoat is alive and well underneath.
A Keel Shield or Keel Guard might be a good idea for you. Or a review of your launch/retrieval procedures. Or maybe a new non-marking keel roller. Good luck.

 

[capt sam]

Re: Would gel coat help

it's tough to tell but it does look like a cross between the roller and maybe some beachings, change out that roller to a nonmarking one and try cleaning off some of the black marks and go from there.

 

[marcortez]

Re: Would gel coat help

120 grit beach sand.

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Would gel coat help

I'll second the keel guard and roller.

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: Would gel coat help

I dont know, it could be worn through from the looks of that picture....what could he do? spray new gelcoat over the top assuming he could get a good color match?

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Would gel coat help

IF the gelcoat is gone, and I still don't think it is... the easiest way to fix that is to cover it up with a Keel Guard or Keel Shield. And since he's gonna keep hitting that keel roller, going through the time/expense/hassle or re-gelcoating seems kinda silly, doesn't it? It's just gonna break out again, as soon as he hits that keel roller.
But I still don't think the gelcoat is gone. It's just covered up by the black rubbery stuff.

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: Would gel coat help

I still have my doubts, how'd did he get black rubber marks BEHIND the keel roller? (unless of course he has another keel roller in the rear of the trailer that is also transferring rubber. just having fun at this point ...maybe he'll post up some better pics..... and do keel guards go down that low to cover all of that stuff?

 

[MyViewGS]

Re: Would gel coat help

Yeah, I think its time for new rollers too. I blew up the pics and you can see the rubber transfer, and the marks extend all the way to the transom. Also. it looks like the boat sits a little left of center.

MyViewGS

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Would gel coat help

I still have my doubts, how'd did he get black rubber marks BEHIND the keel roller? (unless of course he has another keel roller in the rear of the trailer that is also transferring rubber. just having fun at this point ...maybe he'll post up some better pics..... and do keel guards go down that low to cover all of that stuff?

I would HOPE there is another keel roller on the back of the trailer! And even so, when gelcoat is broken away, the underlying fiberglas is not black!

Hard to tell again form the pictures, but at least the part in front of that keel roller is where a keel guard would go. So no big deal to move it back a little further.

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: Would gel coat help

Actually, the black color is what got me thinking. I have the same problem with an area on my boat....Last fall I was using gelcoat patch to fix some chips in the gelcoat, down to the fiberglass.. After filling one and wet sanding around it to blend it in...I realized the little black mark that I had was getting BIGGER.... it seems that when they sprayed the gelcoat during mfg they must have been a little light on the inside of that stake and the gelcoat has worn thin....if you look to the left of the black spot you can see how thin the gelcoat is under there and it is black.....

I was kind of curious for an answer if it was his gelcoat worn through because I am considering what I should do to fix mine.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Would gel coat help

The "black" you are seeing and the black in the original poster's pictures are two different things.

 

[SweeperForce]

Re: Would gel coat help

Sorry I haven't gotten a better pictures yet. The marks arn't really black just a dark dark green color. A real close up inspection you can see the criss cross patern of the fiberglass mat.. I will change both rubber rollers. When I do this I would like to make the boat safe by repairing the bottom also. A buddy of mine told me just to apply a few layers of fiberglass overtop of the missing gelcoat. His reason was that the keel roller will just keep breaking the new gelcoat off again.


Thanks again,
Tom