Need advice on used boat. Large gelcoat chip to fiber - how bad to fix it?

[baylake]

Hi, I am looking at a used boat that has these 2 large chips through the gelcoat to fiber layer. Is it easy to fix? Color matching will be an issue but I think I can live with that. How much discount will you consider to offer for this boat? Asking at $15,500. The yellow gel coat in on the top right and the white chip is on top of the back deck.

Thanks.

 

[BWT]

Re: Need advice on used boat. Large gelcoat chip to fiber - how bad to fix it?

Piece of cake to fix. The Yellow chip is a matter of sanding with 80 grit and cleaning with acetone. Use a paste filler to fare in the surface and apply the gel. Colored gel can be purchased (depending on how old the boat is, possibly even factory matched). Factory match typically means it will be pretty close, unless the boat is relatively new a dead on match is somewhat unlikely. Check with www.spectrumcolor.com

The white looks like it will need a little bit of glass work; but very little. Simply dish out the broken glass, clean with acetone and build back up with poly resin and 1.5oz cms (chopped strand matt; probably 4-5 layers). This can be dished out either with a grinder or a sander with some 40 grit. Sand the new glass down to fare the surface and lay in the gel. This can be done by brush or spray. For something this size brush would be easiest.

Wet sand both spots out starting with 600 grit and work up to 1500. Polish out and good to go. As far as cost, this will vary by region as labor rates typically range anywhere from $70/hr to over $90. But taking an average of 80 this is realistically a 2-3 hour repair. With materials and research time getting the colors I think $500 would be a starting point for negotiation on the sale. I would guess that actual costs would be closer to $400, but should be somewhere in that ballpark.

Hope this helps!

~BWT

 

[oops!]

Re: Need advice on used boat. Large gelcoat chip to fiber - how bad to fix it?

its allways nice to get several replys to a post.....get lots of opinions.

but BWT has you covered.

cheers
oops

 

[oops!]

Re: Need advice on used boat. Large gelcoat chip to fiber - how bad to fix it?

one of the neat tricks i use on little chips like that....

is to use a ziploc bag, cut the corner off...put catylized gell in the bag and squeeze it out like a chef decorating a cake....but a paintbrush is just fine...just dab it in

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Need advice on used boat. Large gelcoat chip to fiber - how bad to fix it?

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Hi, I am looking at a used boat that has these 2 large chips through the gelcoat to fiber layer. Is it easy to fix? Color matching will be an issue but I think I can live with that. How much discount will you consider to offer for this boat? Asking at $15,500. The yellow gel coat in on the top right and the white chip is on top of the back deck.

Thanks.

I agree with BTW with its cake to fix both of these.

I would suggest differently on the how to and the cost though.

Color match White ( if the yard does not have this color or something close in there fridge ) is going to be 1 hour ( 80-90 bucks ) .. or you can get factory colored gel for about 90 bucks a QT ! ( you will only need about 4 oz ).

Color match Yellow .. forget about that in a repair shop. It could take hours and hours and multiple swing tests to get it Right. .. Again..get the factory color for about 120.

For about 200 bucks you can have a qt each of both colors in your hand that you will hardly use much more that whats on the lid when you do these small repairs ( I bit more then that but you get the point ).

So.. the repairs. Lets say your sitting on the Factory color gelcoat .. mix your own paste .. use a preval sprayer after the filling+fairing. Mask..tape .. PVA ( if needed ) .. wetsand and buff out to blend ..your still into ONE Repair for 3 hours.

6 hours labor ( at say 80 ) is 480 + shop materials at 50 bucks + 200 in gel. .. .. Your get back would be 900 bucks.

So call it a grand and see what he says. I doubt that he will tell you HE could fix it for less ..

Just putting it out there for ya .

YD.

 

[baylake]

Re: Need advice on used boat. Large gelcoat chip to fiber - how bad to fix it?

This is the most trust boat forum that I found. Your advices are very helpful and I respect to your status on this forum. Here is my following up question: Will you buy this boat? I will boat in salt water few times per year. Should I worry about painted trailer? A 2007 Sea Ray 185 with some of the damages in the below pictures and the CL link http://nacogdoches.craigslist.org/boa/2565631168.html Thank you very much for your inputs.
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[BWT]

Re: Need advice on used boat. Large gelcoat chip to fiber - how bad to fix it?

the attached pics didn't come through. Please try and re-post

 

[oops!]

Re: Need advice on used boat. Large gelcoat chip to fiber - how bad to fix it?

you say salt.........what kind of water and how far out?......that isnt a big water boat.....its a lake boat.
if you are just going to cruise around in a bay....your ok with that one, but dont get trapped in a storm.

that price might be a little high. for an 07 in the states....each market is different. and it depends on the condition of the boat.
painted trailers are just fine

 

[baylake]

Re: Need advice on used boat. Large gelcoat chip to fiber - how bad to fix it?

Try gain with the images
right front

right side

right side

swim platform top

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Need advice on used boat. Large gelcoat chip to fiber - how bad to fix it?

I cant tell you if its worth the money on the open market ..

I can tell you that you need to inspect the Motor and Drive. If those need attention then you could be more into it then the cosmetic costs.

Those repairs are super simple ( I will bring home my book tomm and tell you what colors they are ).

Have you looked online abouts how much this boat is worth ? Might be another selling point.

If you go look at it..make sure you run that baby on the muffs until temp gauge levels out.

Soo much more to buying a 15k boat from an independent seller vs. a dealer. Might want to check out what they have ( with warranty I might add ) .

YD.

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: Need advice on used boat. Large gelcoat chip to fiber - how bad to fix it?

The price seems a couple grand high to me. Even without the cosmetic damage. But, I'm cheap.