Gelcoat Substitutes :: Catamaran Sailboats at TheBeachcats.com

Gelcoat Substitutes

catdan

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jul 25, 2008

Last visit: Aug 10, 2010

Posts: 91
Posted: Aug 28, 2009 - 07:23 AM

I'm in a third world country where parts and materials are scarce. I can get bamboo any size though.

Gelcoat is unheard of, but someone suggested to use polyester resin and fill it with some white powder. I do not exactly know what it is (no, not rice flour--haha), but I'll be able to obtain that.

Does anyone know any alternatives? Any similar experiences?

Thanks,
Dan

edited by: catdan, Aug 28, 2009 - 06:24 AM
UFgator

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Dec 09, 2008

Last visit: Apr 06, 2011

Posts: 99
Posted: Aug 28, 2009 - 07:28 AM

What kind of repairs are making. There may be several options. BTW which third world country? I've been all over the Pacific and would love to return for a visit.
catdan

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jul 25, 2008

Last visit: Aug 10, 2010

Posts: 91
Posted: Aug 28, 2009 - 07:49 AM

Philippines, Luzon.

The boat desperately needs a bottom hull job as it's thin as paper. My best guess of how to approach this is to sand down the Gelcoat around those spots, then add resin and fiberglass mat gradually cut to bigger sizes, and after sanding, roll on the gelcoat substitute.

I have never tried this before--no experience at all.

Thanks,
Dan
UFgator

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Dec 09, 2008

Last visit: Apr 06, 2011

Posts: 99
Posted: Aug 28, 2009 - 08:38 AM

I just did mine this past spring. If you can't get the gelcoat I would stick with using a heavy layer of polyresin since you can get that. It will wear a little faster than gelcoat as a finish coat but will definitely work. You may also want to add extra glass to thicken the area. You can always sand down later if you get some gelcoat. I used finished gelcoat and applied it with a foam brush. Had to sand a lot but it worked well.

There are several "how to" links on the web regarding bottom jobs. There is one on the Beachcats site as well. After you make any glass repair I would apply a few top coats of resin. Have you been unable to get the gelcoat shipped to your location due to hazmat restrictions?

Try this link for info. http://www.hobiecat.com/hobieclass/ The september-oct 08 issue discussed the bottom job. Hotlines is full of little repair tips in the "This old Hobie"section.

Good luck