Gel Coat damage

Had a bad moment on weekend ... while recovering on a shallow slipway, winds were quite high, and a combination of wind & swell, at exactly wrong moment caused stern to swing sideways, and unknowingly break off the rear fixing for the bunk. :redface:

The result was when we straightened up and continued loading onto trailer - the bunk support bracket had gouged a long scar in the Gel coat.

This is 2 runs each of about 3' in length one from about 1/3 point to mid point of hull, and one from just after midpoint to transom.
They are situated mid way between strake and keel.
Worst of gouge is about 1/4" wide, it's tapered so it is a vee shape gouge.

In worst places it has gone right through gel coat to a depth of about 1/4" and you can see fibres beneath.

Insurance will cover this, and a full commercial repair will be carried out - professional boat repair centre advised no structrual damage and it will be invisible gel coat repair once complete.

I have no doubt that insurance company authority to proceed, and then getting a slot for repair may take a while .......... is it safe to continue using boat ?

Boat is never left at mooring, and washed down after use ... if used is there any danger of long term damage to fibreglass core if some water gets at it ?

The boasting season is short and tempting to carry on use on the weekend.

Re: Gel Coat damage

The sure answer is - - it depends. You stated "In worst places it has gone right through gel coat to a depth of about 1/4" and you can see fibres beneath." The depends part is the thickness of the hull where the damage is. The thickness of the hull depends on the manufacturer - - some hulls are made thicker than others - - - and the hull will be thicker on the bottom than on the side.

In your case if you can just see the fibres and they are not gouged I would think you would be O.K. in normal boating. The strength of the hull is the resin soaked fiberglass not the gel coat.

Re: Gel Coat damage

For an added bit of short-term security you can put some good silicone adhesive in the gouges.

Re: Gel Coat damage

DD NOT USE SILICONE. if you use anything use MARINE -TEX.

Re: Gel Coat damage

cpubud said:

DD NOT USE SILICONE. if you use anything use MARINE -TEX.

Click to expand...

Thinking ... of mixing up some West System epoxy (rapid) and paint that in over the exposed fibres ... at least allow use of boat on weekend while insurance company claim progresses.

Re: Gel Coat damage

even just giving it a coat of resin to seal it would work.