Beached my boat!!!!!

[Homebrew72]

I've been working on my boat for a while now (17ft bayliner). I was trying to adjust my throttle/ shift linkage before I took it out on the water. I screwed up..... Wife had just untied us, I started the boat in neutral or so I thought. Boat took off right up the concret ramp. It ground down the gelcoat to the fiberglass about 10 ft long and 2-3 inches wide. Hard lesson to learn thankfully no one was hurt. Looking for the best/ cheapest way to fix it. I'm not worried about it looking pretty just want to make sure it's sealed. Any help is appreciated.

 

[batman99]

Not too sure how bad the damage (to the keel of your boat). One can buy fiberglass repair kits (with added fiber) and also buy the Gelcoat repair kits at most auto supply stores. To learn how to repair boat fiberglass, surf lots of You Tube videos. If not into DIY fixes, take your boat to a few auto body repair shops and ask for their estimates. After fixed, recommend Keel Guard strip. re: http://www.iboats.com/8-KeelGuard/dm/cart_id.410151055--session_id.367386310--view_id.394201

Hope this helps.

 

[Watermann]

I recommend your start the repairs with the shiftier and it's lack of a neutral safety switch.

 

[GA_Boater]

I recommend your start the repairs with the shiftier and it's lack of a neutral safety switch.

+100

 

[ondarvr]

Just having missing gel coat isn't a cause for concern, now if the damage is deep into the glass it should be fixed though. Missing gel coat is more of a cosmetic issue.

Need a pic for better answers.

 

[Homebrew72]

Without question the throttle issue will be addressed prior to going back in the water.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Without question the throttle issue will be addressed prior to going back in the water.

Bah..I figured you would put that on the back burner till the bottom got fixed

Ondarvr is right though. But Im gonna go out on a limb here and say if your boat did a 007 job up the ramp..then you might need a few layers of mat on there.

Oh..and, from now on, you might want to start up the boat while its still locked on your trailer too..just sayin.

 

[Woodonglass]

As stated, Pics will help us to help you.

 

[Homebrew72]

No Title

 

[Woodonglass]

Yeah, well, not sure what the others will say, but...If it were me, I'd be grinding and feathering and laying new glass and then applying new gelcoat. That's some major "Ramp Rash"!!!!

 

[Homebrew72]

No Title

 

[Watermann]

Hows the skeg and prop?

 

[remauto1187]

WOW! You looked around to make sure nobody saw you do it, right? lol

 

[produceguy]

I agree with wog, that looks nasty. To me it looks like it got into the glass pretty deep.

 

[MTboatguy]

Hate to say it, but that one needs to be repaired, you must of hit that ramp at a pretty good clip, not a difficult fix, but it is going to take some time and learning some new skills!

Yikes.

 

[Homebrew72]

No Title

It's was an impressive hole shot I'll tell ya. Even more impressive was my haulk strength turning the boat around to push it back in the water before anyone saw. Luckily the engine tilted up when it hit, skeg has a little rash in the bottom and is slightly bent. Prop is ok.

 

[Homebrew72]

Would it be ok to just do the fiberglass and not worry about the gelcoat? Not too worried about how it looks. Watched a couple of videos about fiberglass repair, just layering sheets of glass between coats of resin. Is it as easy as that? Other than lots of sanding. How do I know how many layers I need?

 

[MTboatguy]

As you have some ragged edges there, which means there is some separation at the edges, you are going to have to do some careful grinding until you get back to solid material that has not been damaged, then you will have to wipe everything down and start applying layers to build it back up to the proper level and contour to match the hull shape. You don't need the gel coat, it is more decoration and finish, you could pick up a small spray set up and spray paint on it and be no worse for wear. But with the way it is damaged, driving it at speed could start layers peeling, which would not be a good thing.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Is it as easy as that? Other than lots of sanding. How do I know how many layers I need?

Yup..very easy. Sand off the damaged glass..put some more on .

I would just use some mat. Tear some little strips and wet them out until you get what you think is the right pile. Then take a grinder and buzz down the sides to make the V..then round off the radi ( bottom edge ). You dont Need gel on it..but if a local shop has some old stuff they could pawn off to you that would be better.

Dont worry about it flying off..unless you wipe it down with motor oil first

 

[Woodonglass]

Working on your back, upside down, will be the most difficult part!!! Like YD says, use smaller strips of glass. Another trick is to use some heavy plastic and wet out the glass on it on your bench and carry it to the boat and then press it into place and use a bondo spreader to smooth it out. Put some paper or something over you to catch the drippings. There WILL be some!!!!