Holes in Gel Coat Deck

[sharmajm]

I have an old Halcyon 23 which while a little bit tatty still has its original gel coat showing and hasn't been painted. I have a number of holes/leaks left by previous owners that I need to fill. What should I use? I really don't want to paint it if I don't have to.

Any ideas gratefully received /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[dickh]

You can use Plastic Padding GRP filler and the PP gelcoat on top - white in colour - not sure if any colour available. I would just fill the holes with the above, sand and then polish - at least people can see where holes have been without hiding them with paint. For leaks - depends where they are etc - my H23 leaked along the hull deck joint, the rubbing strake had been fitted with STEEL screws which rotted away(fairly common in the 60's) and a ¼" Ø hole which had obviously been there since it was built.......
Lots of wodden bits were screwed on with steel screws and I had several leaks from them - the coachroof mounted handrails spring to mind - in a thunderstorm at anchor the rain dripped in. Oh, and all the windows leaked!
Good luck anyway -rae yoa member of the OYOCA? See:-
http://www.oycoa.org.uk/index.htm

 

[gjgm]

holes and leaks sounds a bit severe. What size? You might get away with marine filler or gelcoat repair which is two tubes you mix up and sets in 20 mins. About £7, i think.Both are a rather unhelpful colour though at bright white or grey/
But it may be better to grind back a bit to check for cracking and build back up with some fibreglass and resin first. You can get kits most places, and its pretty simple. Just remember to squeeze out as much resin between the matting as you can, and build up a few layers. But its easy enough; get wet and dry sandpaper from 240 up to 1200 and use with water to smooth down.
CFS or CLS or something in Cornwall do mail order industrial quantities, but its so cheap, its probably cheaper than one of these kits!And they re very helpful with tips booklet etc. WestSystems also have good booklet, they do a few different kits, so perhaps that would be convenient.
Matching the gelcoat colour would be a rather onerous task to say the least.
All depends how large and how many areas you have to treat; might end up looking like a leopard!

 

[snowleopard]

if the holes are from old fittings now removed, i would clean them up and fill with epoxy, using microfibres to thicken the mix.

 

[adelaidem]

counter sink the holes first.