where do I start...no really?

[77'240srvray]

I have a 77' 240srv sea ray that i managed to get beached on some rocks sitting just below the surface. After being tossed against them (tons of wind and real choppy water) for a couple minutes we were spit out. Well there is extensive damage to the sides and underside of the hull. tons of 1/8" scratches and gouges, and some 1/4" deep by 1/2"wide chunks taken out of the bottom of the side (where the first transition is) I repaired with automotive bondo as I have been told it's the same as the marine bondo. but the finish is rough and I'm not sure what to put over the bondo, how do I match the color of the hull so all theses red bondo spots are gone. Please provide as much info as possible as I'm a total newb when it comes to marine repair. thanks, you guy's rock!!

 

[proshadetree]

Re: where do I start...no really?

Automotive bondo is not the same as marine bondo.Ive used both.If the structure is in question id pull the floor and grind back lay a couple layers of cloth and resin then fill the outside with a good cloth resin sand smooth then apply the color gel-coat you need wet sand buff and wax.Pics will really help to show the damage you have and their are much more that can be told by them worth a thousand words ya know

 

[ondarvr]

Re: where do I start...no really?

I don't want to be the one to tell you this, but it sounds like you need to start over, bondo just won't do the job.

It's hard to say just how bad it is without looking at it, but if there are 1/2 chunks gone there's most likely more damage that you can't see, it's being hidden by the gel coat. You'll need to grind back the gel coat and glass a little to see if there's more damage, if the area is white it means the resin and glass are fractured, this part needs to be removed and reglassed, then gel coat can be applied over it.