Hit a Rock - Big gouge in the hull

[Todd Kyle]

Hi - I hit a rock today - was going about 3mph. No damage to the jets but have a good size gouge in the hull up front. Gel coat is gone and can feel some fiberglass...do i need to take it out of the water or am ok for the day tomorrow? There are no visible signs of water or leaks...Thoughts?

 

[djetok]

Hi - I hit a rock today - was going about 3mph. No damage to the jets but have a good size gouge in the hull up front. Gel coat is gone and can feel some fiberglass...do i need to take it out of the water or am ok for the day tomorrow? There are no visible signs of water or leaks...Thoughts?

you really don't want the fiberglass to stay wet marine epoxy or 5200? [USERGROUP=9]@HELP[/USERGROUP]

https://jetboaters.net/threads/fiberglass-damage.22991/

 

[Seadeals]

I don’t know your situation; but if the trailer is close, I would want to pull it out and inspect. If you were on a vacation trying to finish strong on the last day, I would probably go as low as to whip out duct tape and squeeze in the last day. Repair would be a fun project for the next weekend.

 

[Jgorm]

If water is not leaking in i wouldn't stress it. I've seen some huge gashes in boats that are in the water 100%.

 

[Bruce]

Perhaps pull her out, let it dry overnight. Apply flex tape tomorrow before launching. Then after it dries for several days apply marine epoxy to use for the season then fully repair with gelcoat in the fall.

This is all speculation based on damage that I have not seen. Boats have gone to Bimini for a week with marine epoxy applied in the water then repaired after returning home.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

Many a time I have dried the hull and used a Q- tip to spread some superglue on it to seal the glass until I could get to it to fix it properly.

 

[Todd Kyle]

Thanks all - I did pull it out, that was sound advice. I may put some marine epoxy on in the morning. i did snap a pic - take a look and let me know how bad you all think it is....Thanks!

 

[jEt_jAk]

That’s how mine looked before I got a keel guard. I would strongly suggest getting one.

 

[rkluck]

I think the advice above is good. If this a vacation just put something over it to keep it dry. You will want to repair this correctly and it is something you can do. I can't tell exactly where this is but I had a keel guard as well to protect the boat a little more.

 

[Todd Kyle]

Thanks ! I put some flex tape on the gouge and it seems to be holding nicely! I am going to salvage the vacation...will take it to the marina sunday...not ready for DIY hull repairs just yet ?

 

[Julian]

Looks like time for a quick seal job and a keel guard or keel shield.