Found keel damage, how bad is it?

[Tylenator]

This is a 2020 210 FSH that we recently bought. I got under it for the first time today in the driveway and found this damage. I'm kicking myself so hard right now because this was my first boat purchase and there were several things I didnt check out before buying it (live well functioning, wash down, looking underneath of it, etc). Not out of laziness but out of ignorance. And to clarify, I did peek under it when we checked it out at the dealer but i never got completely under it, to the point where i would have been able to see this damage.

We've taken it out twice and I never hit anything. That's not the point though because regardless, I bought it, so it's my problem now.

To my inexperienced eye this looks like someone hit something and the gel coat scraped off and what I'm seeing is exposed fiberglass.

Is this repairable and if so, is this an urgent repair, as in something that needs to be addressed before we use the boat again?

Ballpark, am I looking at $500, $1,000, $5,000, more? I don't know anything about paint or fiberglass.

I'm a little frustrated about this but the dealer didn't seem shady. Super friendly and easy to work with. To be fair it was also a brokerage sale, so more an "as is" sale versus having guarantes. But the dealer did take us out for a test ride, so that makes me think this damage isn't crucial.

Everything else about the boat is super clean. Low hours (230). Great shape.

I have no clue.

Help.

 

[drewkaree]

As bad as it is, it's not terrible, and should be able to be fixed. Someone else will have to chime in here, as I'm not a fiberglass guy, but that looks quite similar to the damage that I incurred on my boat. Maybe some longer sections, so you may have had more extensive damage than I, but mine really wasnt anything that couldn't be fixed, and yours should be relatively easy to fix.

If/when someone chimes in here to give you a better assessment, the next step for YOU is to decide how to tackle it, if it's just gelcoat repair, and not something more extensive.

If - IF - it's just a gelcoat repair, do you want to throw money at it and pay it done by someone else? If that's the case, then it should be an easy job for a pro to simply repair the gelcoat. If you're willing to tackle it yourself, it could be a reasonably priced fix that requires your labor to save that money. Since it's on the bottom of the boat, it's up to you to decide your mindset. Get an EXACT match for gelcoat, or just get "black" and proceed, knowing it'll never be seen unless it's on the trailer, although it may not be a 100% match.

Wait for someone far smarter than I to eyeball this though, it may be larger and more involved than my uneducated eyes and brain are seeing.

 

[Tylenator]

As bad as it is, it's not terrible, and should be able to be fixed. Someone else will have to chime in here, as I'm not a fiberglass guy, but that looks quite similar to the damage that I incurred on my boat. Maybe some longer sections, so you may have had more extensive damage than I, but mine really wasnt anything that couldn't be fixed, and yours should be relatively easy to fix.

If/when someone chimes in here to give you a better assessment, the next step for YOU is to decide how to tackle it, if it's just gelcoat repair, and not something more extensive.

If - IF - it's just a gelcoat repair, do you want to throw money at it and pay it done by someone else? If that's the case, then it should be an easy job for a pro to simply repair the gelcoat. If you're willing to tackle it yourself, it could be a reasonably priced fix that requires your labor to save that money. Since it's on the bottom of the boat, it's up to you to decide your mindset. Get an EXACT match for gelcoat, or just get "black" and proceed, knowing it'll never be seen unless it's on the trailer, although it may not be a 100% match.

Wait for someone far smarter than I to eyeball this though, it may be larger and more involved than my uneducated eyes and brain are seeing.

As far as color matching, I don't care. It's under the boat and you literally have to lay on the ground to see it.

What i do care about though is that it's repaired correctly. If it's something that I can learn to repair, and do it right, I'm all about picking up a new skill. But if I'm better off paying someone to do it that's OK too.

My big question other than the obvious, of "how do you fix this" is, can I still use the boat in the meantime?

 

[drewkaree]

I would not. The fiberglass is exposed, so if you get it wet, you'll have to wait for it to dry out before you attempt any repairs

 

[FX195]

I would not put boat in water until its fixed. No point in creating more damage or making the repair any more difficult. Its fixable, I had a similar damage were fiberglass was exposed, it was probably a 1/4 of your damage, cost me $700. Gelcoat guy did a great job, looks almost new.

 

[zipper]

Another no for putting in the water before the gelcoat is fixed. As said above, the raw fiberglass can absorb water and delay the repair. Have it repaired properly and put a keel guard on it. Matching the color is easy. YAMAHA BOAT BLACK 2 CCP 2004-2025 The work may be a little more difficult as working in this area requires the boat be removed from the trailer and put on jackstands. You may be able to lift/jack the bow of the boat up and put the keelguard on though. That could cover small imperfections if you decide to DIY.10' KeelGuard Protection Strip, Black | West Marine

 

[Coult45]

@HangOutdoors posted about how he safely lifted his boat off the trailer so he could do some work on it, I think.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

@HangOutdoors posted about how he safely lifted his boat off the trailer so he could do some work on it, I think.

It may have been @Floridaman79 when he re worked his trailer ?

Thread '2020 210 FSH Trailer Rebuild'

Mar 7, 2023

So after 3 years of heavy use in a combination of freshwater, saltwater, and brackish water, my trailer was returning to the earth. It was to the point that the equalizer bars were no longer equalizing, the tires were nearly bald, and I was concerned that in the event of a roadside failure I would be unable to work on it due to the parts being rusted and I would be up a creek, so to speak.
This thread is what I did about it and hopefully it will come in handy for those who may be in a similar situation.
Without further adieu here are some glamour shots of what the trailer looked like...

• Floridaman79
• Replies: 39
• Forum: Tow Rigs, Trailers and other things with Wheels

• 

 

[Tylenator]

@Floridaman79 said: Taking the boat off the trailer was interesting. Since I didn't have access to a slip, I just used a combination of jackstands, plywood, leather gloves, and 2x4s to raise the boat up and slide the trailer out from underneath. It worked out in the end but not sure I would recommend it to anyone.

I think I'll find another way lol.

I'm waiting to hear back from a marina about repairs. While I would love to save money, I also highly value my time, having two small kiddos. I may just have it repaired professionally.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

@Floridaman79 said: Taking the boat off the trailer was interesting. Since I didn't have access to a slip, I just used a combination of jackstands, plywood, leather gloves, and 2x4s to raise the boat up and slide the trailer out from underneath. It worked out in the end but not sure I would recommend it to anyone.

I think I'll find another way lol.

I'm waiting to hear back from a marina about repairs. While I would love to save money, I also highly value my time, having two small kiddos. I may just have it repaired professionally.

Time is one of the commodities that cannot be replaced … a professional will make short work of that repair.

 

[Tylenator]

Interesting update.

I had emailed the dealer about it. I wasn't being grumpy, just asking what the options are to get this resolved. They've been great to work with. They said, "Well it needs to be said that we wouldn't sell a boat without disclosing something like this. We had no knowledge of it." Without seeing it in-person yet, they said to make it look like the damage was never there it could be anywhere from $2-$4k.

That being said, since there is no proof from myself or them on the keel's condition at the time of purchase, they offered to seal the exposed fiberglass and purchase and install a keel guard, at their expense, as an alternative solution.

I'm curious on everyone's thoughts of a (free to me) sealing/keel guard repair, versus $2-$4k out of pocket to make it "as new". I mean the answer is initially obvious to me... go with the free option and get back on the water. While I do take care, and pride in my things, realistically it's a used 2020 and doesn't need to be showroom-new. But I still ask in case there are downsides to keel guards that I'm unaware of.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

If it was me.. I’d get it fixed proper and go forth and burn fuel. I myself do not have a keel guard and do not plan on putting one on, BUT, I do not beach my boat and go shore hopping. If I did I’d certainly be in the market for that.

Have them give you the estimate to fix the bad damage by itself, and to fix the other scratches which look like they might come out with a good polishing and go from there.

 

[zipper]

If it was me.. I’d get it fixed proper and go forth and burn fuel. I myself do not have a keel guard and do not plan on putting one on, BUT, I do not beach my boat and go shore hopping. If I did I’d certainly be in the market for that.

Have them give you the estimate to fix the bad damage by itself, and to fix the other scratches which look like they might come out with a good polishing and go from there.

Agree, we never beached our AR230 and did not install one either. We only beach our Aluminum rib Zodiac and it has a complete length of keel guard. The damage on his keel do not resemble that from beaching in my opinion, but running or washing up on something hard. Storm damage perhaps, but it is linear/directional so I say running up on something hard.

 

[Tylenator]

Agree, we never beached our AR230 and did not install one either. We only beach our Aluminum rib Zodiac and it has a complete length of keel guard. The damage on his keel do not resemble that from beaching in my opinion, but running or washing up on something hard. Storm damage perhaps, but it is linear/directional so I say running up on something hard.

I have zero plans on beaching the boat, but the "seal the fiberglass and slap on a keel guard (for free)" is a much more appealing solution than $2-$4k to fix it proper. At the end of the day what's the difference, so long as water isn't getting in. I'm also thinking that accidents happen, so since this is my first "real boat", the keel guard might be handy, unintentionally, one day.

Not trying to dismiss anyone's opinions (that I indeed asked for), but talking it out helps for me.

 

[lazergeek]

Since its the start of the boating season I would opt for just sealing and keelguard for now. Just make sure its with a product comatable with gelcoat then you can still get it fixed properly later if you decide like during the off season. I beleive epoxy is not the best choice however because it does chemically bond to gelcoat.

 

[Coult45]

I'm all for fixing things the right way when it matters. But, if they can make that repair as strong as new, and reinforce it with the keel guard, and the only time you see it is when you're cleaning the crap off the bottom of the boat in the fall before you store it, that feels like the route i would take. If i repair a hole in the sheet rock in the back of my closet, I'm not sanding that thing eight times to get it smooth.

 

[drewkaree]

Working right now, and I have some thoughts about NOT taking the "seal it and cover it up" they proposed. Not a fan of the idea, but I'll explain more when I get a chance. I don't think you're taking it in tomorrow and I can elaborate

 

[Coult45]

So, suddenly your job is more important than our constant needs for advice and entertainment? Wow.

 

[Tylenator]

Working right now, and I have some thoughts about NOT taking the "seal it and cover it up" they proposed. Not a fan of the idea, but I'll explain more when I get a chance. I don't think you're taking it in tomorrow and I can elaborate

I am on the absolute edge of my seat.

Also I plan to drop the boat off Saturday.

 

[Tylenator]

Since its the start of the boating season I would opt for just sealing and keelguard for now. Just make sure its with a product compatible with gelcoat then you can still get it fixed properly later if you decide like during the off season. I believe epoxy is not the best choice however because it does chemically bond to gelcoat.

I asked what they would be using to seal it if I go that route and they said, "We use a fiberglass epoxy resin to seal the area. Very similar to the same material the hull is made of. It's much stronger than the outer layer of gel coat, just not as pretty."