SoCal Jet Boats
Tech Talk => Gelcoat / Paint / Fireberglass Repair => Topic started by: pmg1313 on September 03, 2013, 04:47:39 PM
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If your gelcoat is cracked on the bottom of your boat, like along the runners, and water seeps in through the glass do you just have to repair the gelcoat or do you have to patch the glass? The glass and stringers are solid. there are a few bumps and bruises on the hull that need attention but the cracked gelcoat is making me worry...I'd post pictures but its pretty dark under there. I've read the posts in the tech section but couldn't find anything regarding gelcoat cracks.
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If there's water getting in thru the gel cracks, then obviously the glass is fractured.
Be careful if it's on the running surface. Water has a way of tearing/delaminating the bottom of the boat while underway.
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Bummer! Do I have to pull the motor and flip the boat to do the repairs on the bottom, or could I just work under the trailer? the effected area is not by the trailer runners. Damn, and I wanted to hit the lake Sunday!
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I did a few repairs under mine while on trailer... took off one bunk and held hull up with carpet covered wood/stands while doing it. Just sucks being on your back with arms up.
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Talked to the glass guy that was recommended and he said $1200! Seems high for a few repairs. I don't know how to patch the inside. Do I just sand the texture out of the glass and lay in new glass?
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Talked to the glass guy that was recommended and he said $1200! Seems high for a few repairs. I don't know how to patch the inside. Do I just sand the texture out of the glass and lay in new glass?
its not just a "few repairs" the boat has to be flipped over (its easier than working upside down...), the gelcoat grinded completely back around the damaged area, fiberglass ground out to where its clean and workable and not damaged or waterlogged on both the inside AND outside... then repair starts, and then gelcoat work to get to back to looking pretty. its a LOT of hours in labor.
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In that case $1200 sounds cheap!
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In that case $1200 sounds cheap!
its not rocket science. fiberglass work isnt terribly difficult to do, it just tough work grinding and sanding, etc and it gets a little itchy. if you're on a budget you can do it yourself...
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Thanks. I work too many hours to mess with it. I used to do glass boat work back on Long Island in the 80's. hated it then too. I don't want to mess around with the hull if I'm planning on going fast, especially with the wife and daughter. I'll leave that work to the professionals.
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Thanks. I work too many hours to mess with it. I used to do glass boat work back on Long Island in the 80's. hated it then too. I don't want to mess around with the hull if I'm planning on going fast, especially with the wife and daughter. I'll leave that work to the professionals.
for sure. get a few quotes. theres quite a lot of shops even here in socal that can do the work, and ive heard of a few out in havasu that have had great success.