Gel coat repair in floor

[grizzley30814]

Hello all,

I recently bought a early 70's Ouachita 14'er and there are some cracks in the gel coat on the floor. Some of them are pretty good size and are spider webbed. There is even some lifting of the gel coat on several of them.

I tapped around on the floor in the worst areas and it seems to be pretty solid with no noticable soft spots. Although I am sure there has been some water intrusion through the years.

What would be the best way to do some repair work without ripping into the floor full on and ending up not having a boat for the summer.

1. I thought about popping the loose sections up and glassing in over them.

2. The other option is to just glue them back down some how, but that is not really what I want. I think eventually they would just crack again.

I will most likely rhino line and paint the floor after the repair, so that is going to take care of the cosmetics.

Any and all ideas.

Thanks in advance

 

[sdunt]

Re: Gel coat repair in floor

Based on what you're describing, I would plan on rebuilding the floor in the boat this winter. IMHO I would not go to the expense of rhino lining a suspect floor. In a couple of years someone is going to 'hop' into the boat from the dock and go right through the floor.

If you want to patch it for this summer, I would sand the problem spots down with 36 grit paper on a 4 inch grinder and then use epoxy to coat those areas. you will get a good mechanical bond that way and add some strength. 'Poxy also can be 'painted' on in thin coats like this with out the need for any re-enforcements like fiberglass cloth.

Also start boning up on how to do a floor replacement

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Gel coat repair in floor

You didn't say if it was an all fiber glass floor, or if it's wood with glass over it. If it's glass over wood and it's been wet for a long time, then the wood is most likely getting bad, but may last through the summer. Check the stringers they should be soaked and doing the same thing.

If it's just a glass floor (liner), then you can reglass it with very good results. They can crack from being too thin for the stress they get, but there is no rotten wood involved, so nothing needs to be removed, just beefed up. If it has wood stringers they will still need to be checked for rot.

 

[Wellwater]

Re: Gel coat repair in floor

I have often wondered about using rhino liner for a boat interior especially on my little 13 ft fishing boat I just dont know how heavy it would get and if it would be too slippery.