Gelcoat repair needed but would like to use the boat over the summer

[BRG25]

My boat washed up on the beach last fall and I need to have it repaired. If I have it repaired now, I won't see my boat for the rest of the summer and I would really like to use it. What are your opinions on using the boat and then having the gelcoat fixed over the winter? Thanks.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Is this a trailered boat, or one that spends the season in water?

The damage looks mostly superficial to me, and only looks to affect the gelcoat itself... There is a slight possibility that water could make its way into the fiberglass substrate and form blisters or maybe delamination issues, but really I would only be worried about this in a moored boat. And from the look of it, I think it's really very unlikely.

Have you considered fixing it yourself? Then you can have the best of both worlds; fast and fixed. It's a pretty straightforward process.

 

[BRG25]

Normally I moor my boat but I probably won't until it's fixed. I considered fixing it and am open to suggestions.

 

[Woodonglass]

Remove all loose pieces of gelcoat. Clean repair area well with acetone. Mix gelcoat paste and apply with bindi spreader. Sand smooth. Go have fun. It may not be a perfect repair but it'll be better than what's there now. Even if the pros do it in a few years the colors won't match either

 

[BRG25]

That's a good idea. Thanks.