Deck Core Repair

[Brooksiej24]

I am taking on some soft spots on top of cabin top this winter. I am good with the cut out and removal and replace but then am planning to use fiberglass with west system epoxy and filler and two layers of glass.
On top of that I plan to use total boat total fair to smooth it out.
The next step is the part I am trying to figure out.
Do I gel coat and then do a non skid? Or do I do a gel coat with nonskid in it?
Thanks all trying to get the finishing product lined up on what I need.

 

[LloydB]

lost memory of years ago but advise was to make deck repair from inside where cabin liner would not be as noticeable and easier future repairs, don't recall outcome

 

[ShawnL]

From what I've seen on Boat Works Today (youtube channel, you should definitely check out). Gelcoat doesn't like to adhere to epoxy, because it's a polyester resin. Paint over epoxy is fine. If you're going to re-lay gel coat, you might want to consider polyester instead of epoxy. With all that said, I've done a ton of work on my Catalina 22 with epoxy and covered with paint. It's been fine.

 

[dmax]

As LLoydB says, if there's any way you can do this from the bottom vs. cutting your deck, you will save yourself a lot of trouble and difficulty trying to get it to match. Here is an excellent article on how JudyB did this, overall much easier than doing it from the top: soft area starboard fore deck

 

[PaulK]

We repaired large sections of rotted core in the cabintop or our J/36 (just about everything under the handrails, both sides) from underneath. It was messy, but not having to re-do the very visible exterior fiberglass was a MAJOR time-saver. We used polyester resin and had a pro spray gelcoat over our repair to hide it. You may have some other covering.

 

[east coaster]

Agree with Shawnl check boatworks today. His latest video covers these issues and your concerns. He knows his stuff and has lots of experience doing repairs. Can't go wrong with Andy.