Gelcoat, Glass, Both or forget about it?

[Purduebarry]

I had my 1988 Bayliner on the wash rack when I happened to stick my head in the bildge and looked towards the bow. The sun was setting in the same direction and much to my dismay I saw a bright glow. There are no cracks just a glow from the sunlight through the glass with no gelcoat on the outside. Turns out after repeated landings on the sand beaches at the lake the gelcoat has worn away right below the waterline. <br /><br />Should I add some glass to the back (inside) of this area? TO make it stronger, it takes the biggest hits, waves etc. Should I just repair the gel coat on the outside? Both? Or forget about it? Is this more cosmetic than problematic?

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Gelcoat, Glass, Both or forget about it?

If the gel coat is worn away, then light will show through the hull, it doesn't mean the hull is thin or weak, sometimes it will "glow" even if there is still gel coat on the surface. You should re-gel coat that area and if you beach the boat a lot, try a keel guard type product to protect it.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Gelcoat, Glass, Both or forget about it?

Originally posted by ondarvr:<br /> If the gel coat is worn away, then light will show through the hull, it doesn't mean the hull is thin or week, sometimes it will "glow" even if there is still gel coat on the surface. You should re-gel coat that area and if you beach the boat a lot try a keel guard type product to protect it.

My respect grows for you advice almost every time i read your post's. You once after a great deal of patience talked me out of re-gelcoating my boat ...... great job errrrr advice "ondarvr"

 

[dmarkvid2]

Re: Gelcoat, Glass, Both or forget about it?

I know they sell a thick (vinyl) strip that you can attach with an adhiesive to the outside "V" of the bow and keel, to help stop fiberglass errosion when you beach the boat. It comes in colors to match your boat's color, and works well

 

[Purduebarry]

Re: Gelcoat, Glass, Both or forget about it?

If I go with the vinyl band-aid will it add drag? If I re-gel can I do this myself or should I pay a pro? I'm pretty handy but don't want to end up with a big globby mess! Ondarvr, When you say keel guard are you talking about the adhesive vinyl like Mark or something to just lay down on the beach and take it up when you pull out?

 

[Purduebarry]

Re: Gelcoat, Glass, Both or forget about it?

If I go with the vinyl band-aid will it add drag? If I re-gel can I do this myself or should I pay a pro? I'm pretty handy but don't want to end up with a big globby mess! Ondarvr, When you say keel guard are you talking about the adhesive vinyl like Mark or something to just lay down on the beach and take it up when you pull out?

 

[Realgun]

Re: Gelcoat, Glass, Both or forget about it?

WOW thats what I had-<br />

<br /><br />The white line in the bottom of the Photo.<br /><br />

<br /><br />The fix!<br />No light no wear on the front keel.

 

[Realgun]

Re: Gelcoat, Glass, Both or forget about it?

Oh sorry this is also a 1988 Bayliner 1700 Capri.<br /><br />

If I go with the vinyl band-aid will it add drag?

Answer is no. That "Bandaid" is not in the water at planing speeds.

 

[dmarkvid2]

Re: Gelcoat, Glass, Both or forget about it?

Realgun has a pix (second pix) of that strip I was talking about. I dont think it would cause all that much drag.Its a cheaper, but good way to protect the bow keel. And of course, letting a professial do anything not only is better to do, but you know the work is guarentied. But if you're comfortable doing your own work, I say go for it

 

[Purduebarry]

Re: Gelcoat, Glass, Both or forget about it?

I like the band-aid, much more substancial than I had in mind. This looks like it will really bolster the front end and shouldn't compromise handling ect. Do you have any brand names and approx. cost for a DIY?

 

[Realgun]

Re: Gelcoat, Glass, Both or forget about it?

Here you go. The install is not hard except on your back if you lay in the rocks to install it. <br />I moved it into the guarage to do this. Shoulda got a blanket my back still aches. LOL

 

[Purduebarry]

Re: Gelcoat, Glass, Both or forget about it?

Sweeeet, this is much better than gel, I was bummin because if I fixed the gel then I would be hesitant to beach again and mess it up. There are a lot of sand beaches at the lake where I boat and this will not only fix it but it will let me "smash the sand" with no worries.<br /><br />Thanks for the "band-aid" tip!

 

[Darkhorse1201]

Re: Gelcoat, Glass, Both or forget about it?

I too had this problem in my Bayliner but I took a different tack to it. When I had the floor out for replacment, I added a few extra layers of cloth and resin in the V from the inside that way I didn't mess up the outside. But this only works if you have the floor out!

 

[Purduebarry]

Re: Gelcoat, Glass, Both or forget about it?

Ya I thought about making a hatch up front in the floor like I have in the midsection. I realized there was going to be an access problem. The hatch idea would be nice because I could always store some light items in there like rope. I don't want to take out the whole floor, what do you think about my access panel idea? Do you think I'm at risk without adding the glass? I'd hate to fulfill the myth of Bayliners spliting in half!

 

[Purduebarry]

Re: Gelcoat, Glass, Both or forget about it?

Opps some other questions...did you re-gel the outside where the scuff damage was after you re-coated the inside? Do you still beach the boat? I want astetics and durability. What good is it to re-gel if I'm just going to scuff it off again. I'm not worried about how the Keelguard will look, suits me fine if it works and holds up well. Sure would like to have some more fiber and resin up there! Uhhmmm...now what, the $150 fix hangs in the balance!

 

[tr918]

Re: Gelcoat, Glass, Both or forget about it?

I would repair the scuff and wear damage first(mainly for peace of mind) and then add the keelguard for future protection.

 

[Purduebarry]

Re: Gelcoat, Glass, Both or forget about it?

When you say "repair" do you mean the gel on the outside, fiber and resin on the inside or both? From what I've read about Keelshield, there would not be much benefit to fixing the gel-coat, if anything the shield might not get as good of adhesion. The glass on the inside is a different story. Should I worry about the stuctural integrity?

 

[Realgun]

Re: Gelcoat, Glass, Both or forget about it?

Believe me unless you see loose fibers i\on the front area only the gel coat is missing. There is no need to buildup that are on the inside.<br /><br />I did two layers of epoxy and no glass on the outside for peace of mind but I had no loose fibers on the outside. I waited 24 hours and installed the keel guard. I think it came out alright. I have been in 4-5 foot waves and beat the **ll outa the hull and there are no issues with this fix. <br /><br />Basically I sanded the area then wiped with acetone. I brushed on some mixed epoxy and waited 24 hours and then painted it again 24 hours later. Then I acetoned the area per instructions on the PKG and installed the keelguard.

 

[Purduebarry]

Re: Gelcoat, Glass, Both or forget about it?

Thanks for the heads up...no fibers just hard resin with no gel left. I called Keelshield and they said depending on the chemicals used for re-glaze it could take weeks to fully cure and stop out-gassing, which could cause blisters or adhesion problems. Unless I'm taking water (bigger problem than a Keel patch can fix) go right over the scuffed area and call it a day. I'm going to do just that and I'm certain it will hold up fine!

 

[ebsworj]

Re: Gelcoat, Glass, Both or forget about it?

I had the same deal happening... I put Marine-Tex on instead of Gel coat, its tougher and has not been damaged by repeated beachings. Its cheap too.