Gelcoat chips

[jimi]

I've managed to acquire a small chip (about the half the size of a 1p piece) near the bow just above the waterline. I think I did it whilst nearly anchoring in the middle of Lyme Bay when removing the anchor from the bow fitting so I could attach the cruising chute ... interesting couple of moments!

However do you think I can leave it to be repaired until I lift the boat out for a couple of weeks in Feb for antifouling, anode replacement etc or do I run the risk of water getting into the hull & therefor should really attend to it now?

Also got a couple on the cockpit floor where winch handles etc have bounced.



Jim

 

[pvb]

Not the end of the world...

If you're able to get to the bow chip easily in a dinghy, it might be worth roughly sealing it with epoxy, pending a more delicate repair in February. But if you can't, it's unlikely to be a disaster!

 

[davidwf]

Re: Not the end of the world...

Plastic padding do white gelcoat repair stuff, easy to use and I've found match's in quite well with my yachts gel coat. Definately worth at least roughly filling it before too much water soaks in.

 

[VicS]

Re: Not the end of the world...

Or just cover it with a piece of insulation tape for the time being.

 

[Gunfleet]

Re: Not the end of the world...

Can I come and stand next to you in February? You clearly know where it's going to be above 10 deg then and I do so hate the cold. ;-)

 

[pvb]

No way!

I hate the cold too. Jimi said in his original post that he would be taking the boat out in February. There's no way I would! I only antifoul in the summer, when it's also better weather for topside polishing and, more importantly, when it's much much cheaper to have the boat lifted out. By applying 3 coats with a brush, my antifouling lasts 2 seasons, further reducing maintenance costs. And there are lots of nice days in the winter when you can enjoy a trip out!

 

[jimi]

Re: No way!

You're probably right! My rationale is that the end of Feb is the worst time for sailing so I might as well antifoul etc.. coming from Scotland anything above 5C is positively tropical!

One thing I've always wondered how do you antifoul the wee bit underneath the bulb on the keel that the boat sits on?

Jim

 

[pvb]

With difficulty! (nm)

 

[Gunfleet]

Re: No way!

It's up to you whether you anti-foul or not below 10 deg C but if you want to use resins or gel coat usually the temperature needs to be above that - not a conditon you can count on in January or February and even often March in the UK

 

[gtmoore]

Re: No way!

Can't you splodge it on quick when the boat is floating in the crane?

 

[jimi]

Re: No way!

I'd wondered about that, but it would mean the boat going back in the water with antifouling that had not dried, would'nt that be a problem?

Jim

 

[andy_wilson]

No

My patches from the shorings, painted seconds before launching have never appeared any different to the rest of the hull.

 

[gtmoore]

Re: No way!

Just had a look at yachtpaint.com but not much info there although it does say that antifoul drying times are important. However, it seems to be quite common to see people touching in cradle pad areas and keel bottoms at launch time round our way.

Perhaps a case of better than nothing?

 

[vyv_cox]

Re: No way!

Many people seem to get two or even three coats on in a single tide. This certainly contravenes the advice on the International tins, and I guess many others also. Never seems to make a lot of difference to a product that barely functions anyway.