How do I fix this gel coat chip?

[Steve91T]

I just bought this Mariah with this chip on one of the chines. We are planning on spending the day on the water Easter Sunday. This chip looks like it's been there for a while. Am I going to hurt anything by spending one day on the water with this chip?

I'm planning on fixing it next week.

If this is a fairly easy fix, maybe I can get it fixed before Sunday.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: How do I fix this gel coat chip?

White marine tex and cover it with plastic tape to make it smooth. Once dry........ peel the tape off........ or let the water pressure remove the tape.

 

[Steve91T]

Re: How do I fix this gel coat chip?

White marine tex and cover it with plastic tape to make it smooth. Once dry........ peel the tape off........ or let the water pressure remove the tape.

Really, so you are basically saying, fill the chip with marina tex and put a piece of tape over it? I thought it'd be a lot harder than that.

If I can't get any of the stuff before Sunday, is it bad to go boating with this chip as it is?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: How do I fix this gel coat chip?

The marine tex will hold fine if the fiber's are not wet and yes that is really small so it should be simple. I would seal it up so water does not get absorbed into the fiberglass.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: How do I fix this gel coat chip?

It will need to be dry before you do the repair, but using the boat isn't an issue. So if you can't get to it, don't worry about it.

 

[Steve91T]

Re: How do I fix this gel coat chip?

Thanks guys. I'll take it out on Sunday, then repair it sometime next week.

Steve

 

[Steve91T]

Re: How do I fix this gel coat chip?

So, I took the boat out and had a lot of water get in. It's been at the marina and they've been trying to locate the leak. Yesterday, they left the boat on the trailer and dropped it in the water. They sat there for 15 minutes and no water came in. Not a drop. Then they lowered the bow in and water started coming in.

They were thinking it was a plastic drain or something like that. I don't think there are plastic drains below the water line. Do you think this little chip could be causing this much water to come in?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[jonesg]

Re: How do I fix this gel coat chip?

Its easy to find out, cover the hole with duct tape and do the test again.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: How do I fix this gel coat chip?

The easy way to tell is stab it with a screw driver, or pick at it and remove all of the flaking gel coat and
fibers to see what's under the surface. From the pic it looks like a normal air bubble in the laminate, rarely do these create more than a cosmetic issue because there is plenty of good glass behind the bubble. It is possible there is more of a problem than what can be seen in the pic.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: How do I fix this gel coat chip?

I assume a thorough inspection of the hull has been done below the water line to rule out any other possibilites??? Have you adjusted it's position on the trailer to make sure there is NO damage under a roller or bunk?? If this IS the only noticeable breech in the hull then it stands to reason this is where the water is entering the hull. It appears to me, from your pic, this is impact damage, and therefore could be more severe than just the small chip of the Gelcoat. I can see spider cracking extending out from the obvious missing Gelcoat. How MUCH is a LOT of water and HOW LONG did it take for it to get in the boat? Can you push on this area of damage and view any significant flex or softness? If This IS where the water is entering then obviously the Marine Tex fix is not the way to go. It will take further investigation to determine the next course of action. Let us know what you find out.

 

[Steve91T]

Re: How do I fix this gel coat chip?

Here you go. Some reading for you!

I'll sum it up, 15 minutes in the water produced enough water to just touch the bilge pump. After less than an hour in the water, and I can pump water. I guess that'd be gallons.

This is the only damage I have found. I agree it was an impact spot.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=472576

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: How do I fix this gel coat chip?

I remember reading your other Thread. You have a LOT more patience than I. All I can say is I would be Demanding a PROPER repair and I would reposition the boat on the trailer and inspect to insure there was not other damage below the water line. I am STILL having problems with ALL that water POURING in from that SIZE of a ding. IF it was a total PUNCTURE that would be one thing but.... with that I'm not buying it. Not quite understanding why you started another thread??

 

[Steve91T]

Re: How do I fix this gel coat chip?

I remember reading your other Thread. You have a LOT more patience than I. All I can say is I would be Demanding a PROPER repair and I would reposition the boat on the trailer and inspect to insure there was not other damage below the water line. I am STILL having problems with ALL that water POURING in from that SIZE of a ding. IF it was a total PUNCTURE that would be one thing but.... with that I'm not buying it. Not quite understanding why you started another thread??

I started this thread because the people down here know more about gel coat and fiberglass repair. That's why.

I understand what I have to do with the Marina. But I want to get as much knowledge as I can in a short amount of time. That way if they try to put a band aid on it, I'll hopefully be able to recognize it and call them out on it.

For example, something as simple as pushing on it. I never thought of that.

I started this thread the day I brought the boat home. I had some mechanical questions, and this question. Once I realized that this chip may be the source of the water coming in, I thought I would post here in my thread and see what people had to say.

I agree, I have a hard time understanding where all this water is coming from. But at least the marina is also trying to figure it out.

Steve

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: How do I fix this gel coat chip?

I just realized your other thread is NOT in the Boat Repair Section. Sorry bout that!!!!! KOOL!!! Well I HOPE the marina get's it figured out for you and fixes it the RIGHT way. Keep us posted.

 

[Steve91T]

Re: How do I fix this gel coat chip?

No worries!