Temporary gel coat repair

S

starcrafter

Cadet
Joined
Jun 8, 2003
Messages
12
I'm looking for a temporary fix for a 12" x 2" area where my gel coat has flaked off after beaching it. I noticed small blistering before and was hoping to make it through the summer before fixing. Now the gel coat has flaked off and strands of mat are showing. There is no hole or cracks in the mat and it doesn't leak as far as I can tell. I don't know how long it was there but I used the boat for at least 6 hours after the beaching in mildly rough boat wake conditions on Lake Michigan and didn't notice the damage until the next morning as it was dark when I put it on the trailer. I want to temporarily repair it and not leave anything permanent so a professional can fix. I don't want to bring it in to a repair shop now as we only have a few more weeks of the boating season. The boat is only two years old and I don't want to try to hack up myself. Could I just put layered strips of colored duct tape to patch so no water will get in? I have done this to a Jet Ski with an actual hole thru and held up for two weekends of use. Any other reversible suggestions? Thanks in advance.
 
S

Solittle

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Apr 28, 2002
Messages
7,518
Re: Temporary gel coat repair

Marine Tex is ideal for this and will last a lot longer than the end of summer.
 
Fly Rod

Fly Rod

Commander
Joined
Oct 31, 2002
Messages
2,622
Re: Temporary gel coat repair

That probably was a blister that let go. you even get them with new boats but just don't see them. I'm no professional but it isn't that hard to do.and to do a good job. go to www.fiberglass-repair.com and on the side bar is gel coat repair.<br />Also if there is a friendly boat yard where there is fiber glassing going on ask if you can watch. Alot of guys here do there own. Once you see it done it is easy. Good luck.
 
S

starcrafter

Cadet
Joined
Jun 8, 2003
Messages
12
Re: Temporary gel coat repair

Thanks for the advice guys. I brought it in for an estimate this morning and they suggested I don't use the boat even with a temporary fix until it is repaired properly. There were stress cracks surrounding the area which might indicate that I actually hit something in the water. If I get a quick turn around from my insurance I could have it back in a week and a half. Not too bad and only losing one weekend which I could lose if it stormed all weekend anyway. I have done fiberglass repair before but I don't have the time that this repair will require so I'll leave it up the the professionals.
 
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