Gel coat repair cost

[fraserjr]

A buddy of mine just checked out a boat he is looking to purchase and it has the following damage to the keel. A couple of questions -



1. Is this something he can cover with a keel guard and get it taken care of in the offseason?
2. What would be the approximate cost to fix this?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Gym]

You first want to seal the fiberglass to prevent blistering of the gelcoat first. It wouldn't have to be the neatest job if you cover it with a keelguard.

 

[Joshua Miller]

I would worry about getting the Keel Guard off to make the repair. The adhesive is super aggressive.

 

[fraserjr]

You first want to seal the fiberglass to prevent blistering of the gelcoat first. It wouldn't have to be the neatest job if you cover it with a keelguard.

Sealing it with gelcoat or something else?

 

[haknslash]

Yea I'd seal that off first with some gelcoat and then put a keel guard on it if you don't want to spend a lot of time trying to make it look perfect. That being said I will never understand the desire to beach a boat even with a keel guard. These boats can get so shallow there's no need IMO but then again I like my gel coat looking nice and don't want to damage it hitting a rock buried under the clay or sand.

 

[Gym]

As long as the fiberglass isn't compromised you can get a gelcoat repair kit. If you're going to fix it next season why not just do it now and save the expense of a keelguard and a temporary repair?

 

[swatski]

If the fiberglass does not show any soft spots, so it is just sanded gelcoat - I would mask the area and gelcoat. Using a Preval disposable units makes it super easy. It will NOT be perfect, will show the "orange peel". But you can make it perfect later with wet sanding and buffing.
DIlute Spectrum gelcoat (best) or whatever gelcoat you get with acetone if too thick to spray (using NO MORE that 20% or so by volume, some say the best is styrene monomer but whatever - acetone works), 2% MEK or so.

It will provide necessary protection. FIne to cover it with keel guard/shield, I would not cover raw fiberglass though.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Preval-9-oz-Complete-Spray-Gun-267/202533738

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[Bluewater272]

Yea I'd seal that off first with some gelcoat and then put a keel guard on it if you don't want to spend a lot of time trying to make it look perfect. That being said I will never understand the desire to beach a boat even with a keel guard. These boats can get so shallow there's no need IMO but then again I like my gel coat looking nice and don't want to damage it hitting a rock buried under the clay or sand.

Agreed, especially with the swim platform on these boats. It's so nice to back up near a beach and leave it in about 3' of water - easy access on and off, blast tunes onto the beach, etc.

 

[swatski]

Hmm... I don't know that it is a Yamaha jet boat...
Maybe an older one? Looks way too solid to be the new FRP hull, looks like real fiberglass, old school.

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[fraserjr]

Hmm... I don't know that it is a Yamaha jet boat...
Maybe an older one? Looks way too solid to be the new FRP hull, looks like real fiberglass, old school.

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It's a 2009 232 Limited

 

[swatski]

It's a 2009 232 Limited

Could be the best jet boat/ MY (2009 242 LS) Yamaha built!

I almost got one two years ago. Still kicking myself a bit.

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[Bluewater272]

Anyway, as to the repair. If this were my boat, I would DIY the repair. Gelcoat, sand/buff to a reasonable appearance, then cover with a keelguard.