Under waterline hull repair

[wotdoino]

I’ve just taken off my anode and it took some cracked gel coat with it. I’ve sanded the area so now have bolt holes surrounded by 10cm diameter of bare fibreglass. Given that I don’t need to worry about cosmetics, would simply applying 2-3 coats of epoxy be a sufficient repair or should I apply gel coat instead? Many thanks in advance.

 

[johnlilley]

Assuming that the only defect is missing gelcoat then epoxy is a better option than gel coat as at least epoxy is more waterproof than gelcoat and will adhere better than gelcoat. Just make sure the preparation is 100%.

 

[Concerto]

Teroson Gel Coat Filler is a polyester based filler that sets in 20 to 30 minutes ready to be sanded. Much easier to use than epoxy and just as effective.

 

[dovekie]

Another vote for epoxy. Below the waterline I think you are looking for adhesion, and water resistance, and on both counts my understanding is epoxy beats polyester.

 

[wotdoino]

Anyone else have experience of polyester/gelcoat filler? As it's still quite cold here in the UK, it looks like epoxy will need at least a week to fully cure.

 

[Tranona]

Don't know where you are in the UK but for most of the country this week will have daytime temperatures above 10 degrees - and most much higher - so no problem for epoxy curing if done before midday. However, gelcoat filler will also be fine as presumably the repaired area will be covered in sealer anyway.

 

[Neeves]

The OP has made no mention of sealer. My interpretation was he is just going to coat with epoxy - job done? OR gel coat - job done?

J

 

[wotdoino]

Don't know where you are in the UK but for most of the country this week will have daytime temperatures above 10 degrees - and most much higher - so no problem for epoxy curing if done before midday. However, gelcoat filler will also be fine as presumably the repaired area will be covered in sealer anyway.

Thanks Tranona. Peak temps over 10 degrees but over 24hrs, much less. My understanding is epoxy will take over a week to cure at those temps? I'm keen to get her back in the water asap. This last minute situation took me by surprise!

Teroson Marine Filler can be sanded within 20mins according to their Data Sheet (http://tds.henkel.com/tds5/Studio/S...at=MTR&subformat=TERO&language=EN&plant=WERCS). That said, no mention of when it can be immersed.

When you say the area will be covered inn sealer, I was planning to cover in a primer and antifoul. Is that what you meant?