I have a small bit of damage on my 1999 Hunter 260 probably from hitting the trailer or beaching prior to me owning it. I am somewhat comfortable with the repairs as they are minor but I am interested in what most do to cover these repairs. Due to the area I am assuming that the possibility of future damage is high so do you just paint a small section of the edge of your bow below the water level or should it be gel coated? The boat is kept in fresh water and the bottom is in great shape so I kinda don't want to redo the entire bottom.
Bow damage repair
- Thread starter Chris Carpenter
- Start date
Use gelcoat to seal the underlying fiberglass. After that a little barrier coat and then bottom paint.
Some pictures may help get some reliable advice. Generally, if the damage is in the glass, grind it back and re-glass it followed by gelcoat. If below the WL, simply painting it would be useless.
Thanks! I will try to get some picture posted. I plan on feathering out the broken gel coat and repairing the area with thickened epoxy and silica. I have never applied gel coat and didn't know if it would be difficult or expensive. I know I will probably never get the color to match but I figured to do the best I could as cheap as I can but not sure what to cover the area with after sanding. I'm hoping there is a simple small amount of either bottom paint or gel coat that I could brush on. Looking for ideas.
after having many chips ,scratches and road rash on my boat caused by hurricane Sandy.
I was told that anything below the waterline has to be gelcote and anything above waterline can be painted with a good epoxy paint. Any gelcote or scratches needs to be repaired with thickened epoxy. Any gelcote repairs should be primmer and then bottom paint.
Hope this helps
I was told that anything below the waterline has to be gelcote and anything above waterline can be painted with a good epoxy paint. Any gelcote or scratches needs to be repaired with thickened epoxy. Any gelcote repairs should be primmer and then bottom paint.
Hope this helps
Oriental is in NC
One of my favorite trailer sailor destinations... if you ever get a chance to go I recommend Whittaker Point Marina for your temp home.
I would, I have to repair six spots on my hull where the yard blasted through the gel coat and into the fiber ( don't even ask !!) when power washing the boat. I will fill them with gelcoat and then a barrier coat. Owned the boat over thirty years and this is a first for me from power washing
I love this area. I would love to hear how you trailer sail this area. I stopped by Whittaker Point the last time I was near Oriental looking at boats. I ended up buying a 260 for trailer sailing and I'm still working on the details of leaving the truck and trailer for a few days and the best places to do it.
Talk to the marina about leaving your truck or trailer. They're in the business of renting storage space
Here are some shots of Whittaker and a write-up of the adventure we had there. We went and did it again in 2014. They have a courtasy van... so you launch at the city ramp, sail back, take the courtasy van to go get your launch vehicle and thats it.... easy peasy...
I also attached a write-up of another nearby trip.
In addition to those sites mentioned in the writeup.... I've sailed out of Elizabeth City many times. My recommendation would be to head southwest to Columbia NC. They have free 48 hour tie-off at the city dock and a free public bath-house. There is also a cultural center and a few neat places to explore. Go into town at the end of the day and get a burger.... see some stuff, then get a nice shower... mosy down the river a bit and tie off in the salt marsh for the night. Usually there is a nice breeze to keep you cool at night. The next day you have to decide if you want to go to Edenton or Aligator Creek. Edenton is a fun town and also has free 48 hour amenities.... Aligator Creek has a bath house and a place to buy a burger but there is not touristy things to do there. And the mosquitos are bad.... But if you are heading to Nags Head or Roanoke Island, that is the place to hold over for the night.