Amazing to contemplate that I'm thinking this mid summer but after six seasons on the beach, my cat needs to come home to the house and get some TLC this winter.

This will involve a total tear down. (and borrowing of a trailer)

Tasks include removing the mods that were made to narrow the dagger board box openings to make the boat faster which are now irritating pebble collectors and to grind off all tha marine-tex I've slatherered on the hulls (sacriledge I know but my first year I was on the rocky end of the beach) over the years and apply a proper gel coat layer.

What is the lowest cost solution for application of gel coat? I don't want to invest in expensive spray equipment.

While I'm at it what else should I be contemplating? Most of the standing rigging was new when I bought the boat. Hulls don't leak and tramp, mast and hardware are in good shape.

Any suggestions from those who have done such maintenance? I've already learned not to over torque the hull strap bolts.

Thanks

Hi Larry, i guess no one here has much info for you. here is what i have learned over the years about gelcoating. its a PITA to do professional quality. there is a good amount of sanding, mess, lying on your back (if you haven't turned the boat over), hoping the weather cooperates and more and more and more sanding. also if "fairing" isn't your forte' you may have some imperfect lines in your hulls.

i have been workin on my rudders for about 3 weeks now. 3 coats of gel, 3 grits of sanding between each coat, i have more fairing to do and then paint/sand/paint/sand.... uggggg

I would suggest you scout out some pro shops to get bids on bottom jobs unless you are really hell bent on doing this yourself.

but to answer your question, you can make the gelcoat the consistency you want and then hand paint it on.. thats seems like the cheapest way to me, but i am no expert

check out youtube for gel coating, i found several videos for gel coat repairs. west marine had some good ones too. see if any of these looks interesting to you. i was looking into re-gelcoating my entire hulls but found it not practical. the big trick is to match the colors, there are infinite shades of white for example. gel coat can be sprayed, rolled, brushed, or troweled, so there are options for you. good luck!

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bill harris
hattiesburg, mississippi
prindle 16- "BLUE RIBBON"
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