Scratches

[aerenson]

We have had a couple of "incidents" this summer that have scratched to bottom of the boat. I have an area with a number of light scratches and another area that has some slightly deeper scratches. How do I know if I have gone through the gel coat? What is the best way to determine if I have a real problem, and whether it is a small or large problem. what should I do?

Thanks.

[Chexi]

RE: Scratches

I could be wrong, but I think it is pretty obvious when you have gone through the gel coat. The fiberglass hull looks quite a bit different than the gel coat. If inside the scratch you see a markedly different color than the gel coat, then you have gone through it. That said, I've got a number of scratches at least 1/8" thick in the bottom of my hull from before I bought my boat that are not through the gel coat yet. I plan to have the repaired at some point, but they have caused me no problems to date and are only visible when my boat is trailered and you put your head under the bottom of the boat.