I am buying this boat this coming weekend. The gelcoat melted off in a fire. I have done some minor fiberglass repair before. Does anybody know how to get that smooth gelcoat finish without spending a fortune. I am buying the boat for $400 w/o the trailer. The rest of the boat is in decent shape. Any suggestions
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this is in no way minor!!!
Wow Wes... You did get a good price, and if push comes to shove, parting out the hardware on that boat you can recover your costs. Odays are notorious for less than rigid transoms to begin with. There is no doubt the glass has been compromised with the heat. My advice is to have a pro look at that, the repair might be more than is practical. I am sure that you personally could do a repair and get it back to servicable condition with a lot of elbow grease and some time. The gel coat process is the hardest part. You might consider laying another layer of glass, fairing and painting the entire hull instead of re-gel coating. Just my thoughs. Good luck. (I would have bought the boat too, it's looks like good therapy) Ross in Tampa 1979 Oday 25 "Lola"
Wow Wes... You did get a good price, and if push comes to shove, parting out the hardware on that boat you can recover your costs. Odays are notorious for less than rigid transoms to begin with. There is no doubt the glass has been compromised with the heat. My advice is to have a pro look at that, the repair might be more than is practical. I am sure that you personally could do a repair and get it back to servicable condition with a lot of elbow grease and some time. The gel coat process is the hardest part. You might consider laying another layer of glass, fairing and painting the entire hull instead of re-gel coating. Just my thoughs. Good luck. (I would have bought the boat too, it's looks like good therapy) Ross in Tampa 1979 Oday 25 "Lola"
think this one thru
hold on, that my friend is a lot of work, the last reply is correct in the redo of intier hull not just transom, I just put my 26' O'day back in the water after 9 months of minor repairs. you will need more than a little experience on this one.
hold on, that my friend is a lot of work, the last reply is correct in the redo of intier hull not just transom, I just put my 26' O'day back in the water after 9 months of minor repairs. you will need more than a little experience on this one.
It will sail again
The wood seems very solid and the bottom layer of fiberglass is still intact. I will probably put another coat of fiberglass, cut some 1/2" marine plywood to fit, and several more layers of fiberglass. I know it will always look a little off, but I hope to totally restore this boat by next season.
The wood seems very solid and the bottom layer of fiberglass is still intact. I will probably put another coat of fiberglass, cut some 1/2" marine plywood to fit, and several more layers of fiberglass. I know it will always look a little off, but I hope to totally restore this boat by next season.
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