GP14 by Bell

[fretz]

Im restoring a GP14 that was built from a bell woodworking kit in the early 1960's.
There is no rot but the boat needs fresh paint and varnish. My biggest issue is the filler is popping from all of the screw holes.
The screws appear to be fine as i have backed a few out and they appear good as new. So i'm slowly digging out the existing filler and will replace with something...

What do you recommend as a filler?
Not sure if i should use a epoxy filler of go with more of a marine polyester filler that dries fast and is easily sanded.
With the hull in good shape id rather not use any fiberglass tape on the hull. the boat will be dry sailed but may spend the occasional weekend on a mooring.

Thanks!

 

[jamie N]

Welcome! This sounds a good project. There're so many proprietary fillers available to you, I'd suggest going with one that you've heard of in the high street, and not heard anything bad about!
For me, if I can't see any gaps in the joins, or from the previous history of the boat, am unaware of any gaps, I'd paint the thing as many times as you feel is right for the boat! The same with the varnish of course.
I enjoy the varnishing on my own boat, and yearly put on about 5 coats each winter, after rubbing back 'a bit' in prep', as the varnish and paint do a great job of sealing it all up. Of course, there're are plenty of ways of doing it, all which have benefits, and divided opinions in their favour.

 

[wombat88]

Look for the Classic and Vintage Racing Dinghy Association forum, plenty of GP14s and questions like this over there

http://www.cvrda.org/community/index.php

 

[Tranona]

For filler of screw holes suggest you make your own from epoxy a lightweight fairing filler. This works very easily, has good adhesion, does not shrink and is easy to sand to a good finish for painting. If done well you won't notice where it is used under the paint.

 

[DownWest]

For filler of screw holes suggest you make your own from epoxy a lightweight fairing filler. This works very easily, has good adhesion, does not shrink and is easy to sand to a good finish for painting. If done well you won't notice where it is used under the paint.

Yes and using epoxy with micro balloons has the added advantage that if you need to get it out later, then a waft with a heat gun does the job, not so easy with polyester resin.