Fiberglass repair on jet boat bottom

[jetboatjohn]

I got a new to me Stealthcraft jet sled recently. The previous owner used to power load it onto the trailer, and apparently never realized the strakes were wearing down on the rollers in doing that. They kept slapping gel coat over the damage instead of a full repair. There's also a small patch needed down near the back as well. I want to do the repair myself as my local shop is booked out about 2 months and the rate is pretty steep. The core on these boats is plascore which doesn't absorb water.

The plan is to sand down the busted glass and gel coat a couple inches on each side of the strake, then lay some new glass, and then gelcoat to complete it. Might put keel guards on these as well just to prevent this happening again...I've got all the tools to do this, just not sure about what type of fiberglass mat/cloth to use. Any suggestions?

Pics attached

 

[Scott Danforth]

welcome aboard.

4th link down in the stickies at the top of the forum are the DIY links.

read links 14, 15, 18, 2, 3, 4a, and 4b. all your fiberglassing and restoration information is in the links.

 

[jetboatjohn]

welcome aboard.

4th link down in the stickies at the top of the forum are the DIY links.

read links 14, 15, 18, 2, 3, 4a, and 4b. all your fiberglassing and restoration information is in the links.

Thanks Scott. Didn't see that stickied post before. In reading that, seems like I should be good with using CSM in 2-3 layers for this type of repair since the area is more likely to take impacts?

 

[jetboatjohn]

On second thought, I will probably go with 1708 biaxial.

 

[todhunter]

1708 is going to build a lot of thickness fast and the edges are going to be a lot more work to fair in. Also, if you sand down into the biaxial strands, you're compromising the strength of the 1708, negating the need to use it. I would probably use CSM to build up then gelcoat, wet sand, and buff.

 

[jetboatjohn]

1708 is going to build a lot of thickness fast and the edges are going to be a lot more work to fair in. Also, if you sand down into the biaxial strands, you're compromising the strength of the 1708, negating the need to use it. I would probably use CSM to build up then gelcoat, wet sand, and buff.

Shoot, already got the materials. I'll just have to do my best to make sure I dont sand too deep I guess

 

[jimmbo]

I think the Trailer needs to be Set Up better, and might need some different parts(Rollers and Associated Parts) to do so

 

[jetboatjohn]

I think the Trailer needs to be Set Up better, and might need some different parts(Rollers and Associated Parts) to do so

Agreed. It really needs at least another roller down the middle.

 

[jimmbo]

I meant, that the Rollers are too small Diameter wise, and that they permit parts of the hull to contact the Trailers Frame

 

[jetboatjohn]

I meant, that the Rollers are too small Diameter wise, and that they permit parts of the hull to contact the Trailers Frame

The damage was caused by the strakes going up and over top of the rollers. They weren't contacting any other part of the trailer. This isn't an issue if you guide the boat onto the trailer and winch it up.