Looking for ideas for fixing numerous gelcoat nicks on the bow of an 1989 cat 25, from just above the waterline up to near the U bolt for trailer. Looks like poor dockline setup in the past, but appear only to be superficial and no water intrusion is evident inside. Any way to fix these easily or to do something to make sure they don't turn into leaks?
Nicks on the bow?
- Thread starter wildlawnc
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fixing nicks
West Marine has a product called Marine-tex usually in gray or white that works well for these types of repairs. You will have to ream out the nick a little to make it workable but if you have a white hull you will barely notice the repair. I learned that if you put a piece of wax paper over the nick after filling it with the product and use a j-roller or something similar you get a really nice looking fully filled repair. There are other gel coat repair fixes out there but from my view the bow is probably going to get more nicks in it over time. You can spend $1000 getting the bottom redone every few months or just be happy and sail with a well sealed repair for $15 a year and 15 minutes of time. Just my point of view, you get what you pay for. Good sailing!
West Marine has a product called Marine-tex usually in gray or white that works well for these types of repairs. You will have to ream out the nick a little to make it workable but if you have a white hull you will barely notice the repair. I learned that if you put a piece of wax paper over the nick after filling it with the product and use a j-roller or something similar you get a really nice looking fully filled repair. There are other gel coat repair fixes out there but from my view the bow is probably going to get more nicks in it over time. You can spend $1000 getting the bottom redone every few months or just be happy and sail with a well sealed repair for $15 a year and 15 minutes of time. Just my point of view, you get what you pay for. Good sailing!
Marine tex
I concur with Sailing Fury, marine-tex white will work well. It is a two part product you mix at a 5-1 ratio. It will even dry(harden) underwater. If you put a drop or two of water on your putty knife or finger, (whatever your using to work the putty) for your final pass over the repair, it even puts a little sheen on the finish. Done correctly, you are the only one that will notice the repair. It will dry almost a perfect match to the Catalina shade of white already on your boat! fair winds Dave
I concur with Sailing Fury, marine-tex white will work well. It is a two part product you mix at a 5-1 ratio. It will even dry(harden) underwater. If you put a drop or two of water on your putty knife or finger, (whatever your using to work the putty) for your final pass over the repair, it even puts a little sheen on the finish. Done correctly, you are the only one that will notice the repair. It will dry almost a perfect match to the Catalina shade of white already on your boat! fair winds Dave
"Ten Foot Rule"
Once upon a time I thought I would make my boat the "Bristol" barge of our little racing fleet. So we painted her, 2 part epoxied all the teak trim, shined the bright parts and took pictures. Enzo would have been jealous, me,? I was terrified. She was too nice to slip off the trailer and use. Nicks, docking rubs, kids bringing aboard sand, SPILLED BEER? Then I finally made her useable. How you ask? I sand blasted the starboard side with my lawn mower as I tried to organize my weed patch into a lawn my neighbors would approve of. Then I learned the "Ten Foot Rule". If she looks good from 10 feet you win! The reason for this is that the poor slob that tries to make it look better up close will never show up to compare boats. The risk is to great. Back to reality. Marine-Tex is a very good product. It is not totally waterproof but quite water resistant. If you are applying it under the waterline then it should be barrier coated. Ray
Once upon a time I thought I would make my boat the "Bristol" barge of our little racing fleet. So we painted her, 2 part epoxied all the teak trim, shined the bright parts and took pictures. Enzo would have been jealous, me,? I was terrified. She was too nice to slip off the trailer and use. Nicks, docking rubs, kids bringing aboard sand, SPILLED BEER? Then I finally made her useable. How you ask? I sand blasted the starboard side with my lawn mower as I tried to organize my weed patch into a lawn my neighbors would approve of. Then I learned the "Ten Foot Rule". If she looks good from 10 feet you win! The reason for this is that the poor slob that tries to make it look better up close will never show up to compare boats. The risk is to great. Back to reality. Marine-Tex is a very good product. It is not totally waterproof but quite water resistant. If you are applying it under the waterline then it should be barrier coated. Ray
Gelcote
Boy .if those are just nicks or scratches.....you cannot do better (or easier) than Spectrum Color Gelcote (.com). A color match to your year, in paste form and so easy to use its not even funny. I have numerous fixes on my 99 270 that I cant find anymore. Good luck!! Doug http://www.spectrumcolor.com/
Boy .if those are just nicks or scratches.....you cannot do better (or easier) than Spectrum Color Gelcote (.com). A color match to your year, in paste form and so easy to use its not even funny. I have numerous fixes on my 99 270 that I cant find anymore. Good luck!! Doug http://www.spectrumcolor.com/
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