Gelcoat scars temporary quick fix?

[nirish]

Hi all, new member and brand new owner of a 1993 Euro Skier F3 Woo hoo!

However reality has set in and I was hoping for some advice - The port side hull has 2 pretty deep gouges, a small area of each scratch (maybe square 1/2 inch or less) have gone down to the fibreglass. I'm very new to all this but there is only maybe three or four weeks left of the season and i was wondering if i could do a temp fill in with maybe epoxy resin and seek a permanent repair over winter? The problem is I will be keeping the boat in the water at a dock over the next few weeks and am worried that osmosis or some other issue I know nothing about will open up a leak in the damaged areas. There are no cracks or breaks through the hull, just the (rather deep) scratches which, as above, break through the gelcoat to the fibreglass in two little spots. (Apologies for no pics, will update over weekend)

I have tested the boat in the water and it appears very sound, but the seller had it on his trailer on dry land when i arrived and took it out again when we were done.

Also should I 'black out' where the fibreglass is exposed? I know that stuff can be sensitive to UV rays.

Thanks in advance.... Love the forum, keep up the good work!

[rodman]

Nirish: Do not make a big deal about the gouge or scratch. The glass is soaked in resin in the building process so you are safe with the water penetration, not that you need to let it go to long.

Gel coat is only for color and to protect the rough fiberglass like clear coat on a car. On a boat like that it will be a little tough to match exactly but you will get close enough.

If you need more contact me.

Welcome to the crew.

[REW]

The resin will keep out all the moisture as long as it is dry when you fill it. I would not worry about the amount of light it will get in the next three weeks. You shoud do a tap test when you are getting ready for the permenent repair and make sure you dont have any delamination issues to deal with as well, they are repairable but you will have to remove some materal to expose the delamanated area just keep all the glass dry.

Tap test using quarter or similar device tap the fiberglass in a constant rythme moving around the suspected area. a dead thump is real obvious when you hit an area that is delaminated.

I had an old bow rider outboard in college that had more than one spot down to the glass and never had a moisture issue or delamination issue, was on a trailer though.

REW

[ColinP]

If you want a really quick fix you can fill it with autobody type glazing putty. Be aware that it will look ugly unless you apply gel coat over it.

[nirish]

Thanks for all the fast replies.

Good to have my mind at ease. Will prob leave it or do something very temporary until storage season. Lots of little and not so little jobs to be done then, but after reading here my new bu should be good for the next few weeks

[99response]

3M makes a nice marine filler as does bondo, you can throw that in there for a temp fix and then take care of the rest in the offseason, just make sure you grind out the scratch so its nice a smooth before you put any filler in.

-Chris